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]

On September 16, the Oorala Aboriginal Centre and the University of New England celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture series, with a Lecture by the Centre’s founder, Lynette Riley     What is the Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture, and why is it important? UNE’s Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture series was introduced to honour Frank Archibald, a revered... [Read more]

The Armidale Pipe Band is celebrating 110 years since its formation. Pipe Major Darrell Fisher shares the highlights and the upcoming special anniversary activities.       What is your role with the band? My role is Pipe Major, and I am responsible for the music that the band plays. As part of this role, I make decisions about the tunes to be learnt by the band and to be played at musical... [Read more]

Best family holiday ever? That’s a pretty big call, but ask my three kids aged 10, 8 and 6, and they will tell you that the weekend we recently spent in Coffs Harbour was ‘the best family holiday ever!’     We stayed at the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, which was down to earth enough to be family friendly and fancy enough to feel like you were truly on holiday. We went for a two-bedroom... [Read more]

Meet Stafford Cameron, Principal of Duval High School and Matt McKenzie, Principal of Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre.         How long have you been Principal of Duval High School? I have been Principal at Duval High School since the beginning of Term 2, 2010. Just over a year, really – and still loving it. What do you like most about the school? What I like most about... [Read more]

Justin Sherriff is a household name amongst young tennis players across NSW. Here he describes his life as a tennis coach and explains how he’s part of a tennis dynasty!       How long have you lived in Armidale? I have lived in Armidale for 20 years now … my 20th winter. I am now a local! I have two children: Brock, who is 19 and Adelaide, who is 16 and my wife, Karen Sherriff. My... [Read more]

John Mann has worked for The Ascent Group for almost 30 years and is one of Armidale’s great innovators. Through his fundraising ideas & by encouraging community support, he has advanced the cause of people with disabilities.     He tells us why he is still so keen to assist people with disabilities. John, when did you first join The Ascent Group? I first joined in 1983, when I was... [Read more]