Australia Day Celebrations

s going on! The only way to find out what Serving the Hunter for over 20 years with a readership of over 4,000 weekly! Thursday 21st January, 2016 Missed an issue? www.huntervalleyprinting.com.au/pages/entertainer.php Australia Day Celebrations See inside ADDING TO YEARS TV Guide The Upper Hunter is preparing to welcome its newest citizens and honour its tireless community workers at the annual Australia Day celebrations next Tuesday 26 January. Lizards, turtles, crocodiles and snakes will join the crowds celebrating in Singleton when the Croc Stars team entertains the crowd following the breakfast and civic ceremony. CROC STARS LEGENDS: Derek and Karen Ingham will be bringing some of their more unusual pets to the Singleton community for the Australia Day celebrations. +7516/ ;776 807<7*77<0.7: 01:- A number of high-profile ambassadors will visit the Upper Hunter Shire for the big day, including adventurer and former Paralympian Nicholas Gleeson, Peter Herbert (screenwriter and producer) and Greg Donovan (founder of Born to Run). The Denman Sports Centre will host this year s Muswellbrook Shire Australia Day celebrations with a breakfast from 7am. Sparkles the clown and a petting zoo will also be on hand to provide entertainment. To get more information about Australia Day events near you log on to your local council s website. Amelia Wilkinson 0400 099 761 / info@theeventstoreroom.com.au / theeventstoreroom.com.au facebook.com/theeventstoreroom See page 2 for more images. SESSION TIMES: THURSDAY 21 JANUARY - WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY Cinema is now open 7 days a week THE BIG SHORT (M) 136mins 9.40am, 4.25pm & 9.00pm DADDY S HOME (PG) 112mins 12.10pm & 6.40pm THE GOOD DINOSAUR (PG) 110mins IN 2D 9.30am STARWARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (M) 145mins Thu, Sat, Mon, Wed 3D: 1.50pm Fri, Sun, Tue 2D: 1.50pm COMING SOON THE DANISH GIRL GOOSEBUMPS 11.30am & 8.45pm 3D: 6.55pm 2D: 2.15pm (M) 126mins 12-15 Sydney Street Muswellbrook Phone: (02) 4044 0600 (PG) 110mins SISTERS Dirty Grandpa : London Has Fallen The Choice : Deadpool How to be Single : The Hateful Eight Zoolander 2 : Ride Along 2 (M) 120mins 4.20pm www.muswellbrookcinema.com.au Join Kerry for his unique take on the world of sport and those jokes that never end! Saturday afternoons from 12pm until 3pm the man they call Skull, Kerry O Keefe broadcasts across the Upper Hunter on 2NM. Live in Muswellbrook? Don t forget the Courtesy Bus is available to get you to the cinema. Ph: 6543 2011

what s on TAB Function Room Family Courtyard $10 Lunch Menu choose from 10 meals PLUS $12 Dinner Specials with the Royal s chef, Mark Hawkins (N/A public holidays) Monday nights: Lamb Shanks Tuesday nights: Roast Dinner Wednesday nights: Perfect Pasta Thursday nights: Succulent Schnitzel Lunch: 12pm 2pm Dinner: 6pm 8.30pm Bistro open 7 days Every Friday night @ 6.30pm 5 meat tray raffles to be won plus joker draw with $2200 up for grabs on Friday 22 January 2016 PROGRAM INFORMATION THURS 21st to WED 27th JANUARY Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro and Bradley Cooper in JOY (M) Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt in THE BIG SHORT (M) GOOSEBUMPS (PG) Leonardo DiCaprio in THE REVENANT (MA15+) Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are SISTERS (MA15+) STAR WARS: EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS (M) Disney - Pixar presents THE GOOD DINOSAUR (PG) Will Ferrell in DADDY S HOME (PG) ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS 4 (PG) THE 8TH FILM BY QUENTIN TARANTINO C H E C K W E B S I T E O R P H O N E F O R S E S S I O N T I M E S 21 Ryan Ave, SINGLETON Ph 6571 5252 Anyone can enter individuals, families or teams! Purchase your Imagination Box entry from us for $15 and get creative with your display All monies raised from the sale of the Imagination Boxes goes back into the prizemoney pool There are only 300 Imagination Boxes for sale, and if all are sold will bring the prizemoney pool up to $4,500! Imagination Boxes go on sale on: 8th February 2016 at Singleton, Murrurundi, Scone, Aberdeen & Muswellbrook; 9th February 2016 at Dungog, Maitland & Newcastle All completed entries to be received by 2nd March 2016. Rules for the competition will be provided upon purchase of the Imagination Boxes Adventurous Australia Day 2016 Ambassadors for Upper Hunter Shire Three great achievers are visiting the Upper Hunter Shire for Australia Day 2016 to share stories of their inspiring adventures. The Australia Day Ambassadors for 2016 are: Merriwa: [Bottom Right] Greg Donovan - Founder of Born to Run which raises funds and awareness of Type 1 diabetes. Murrurundi: [Above] Nicholas Gleeson - adventurer and former Paralympian. Aberdeen and Scone: [Bottom Left] Peter Herbert - screenwriter and producer. The Ambassadors are one aspect of the fantastic program of events including parades, barbecues and the announcement of the Australia Day Awards on Tuesday 26 January 2016. The Entertainer in conjunction with Majestic Cinemas are giving away two double passes each week to two lucky readers. Look for the handwritten word WINNER along with the editor s signature on this page above HVP logo. Present the winning Entertainer edition to the Muswellbrook office of Hunter Valley Printing, 6 Wilkins Street Muswellbrook and collect your passes. (must be claimed within one week of publication date) Imagine and win! The Upper Hunter s creative and crafty can put their skills to the test in the Imagination Box challenge. Singleton s That Little Art Place will be distributing boxes full of mystery supplies to willing participants, what they do with the contents is up to them! Every entrant will pay $15 for an imagination box and those entry fees will be used to make up the prizemoney. If you can t get to That Little Art Place in Singleton, don t fret, boxes will be distributed across the valley according to the schedule below. Entries close March 2, 2016. 8th February 2016 - Murrurundi: 10:00am - 11:00am, Haydon Hall; Scone: 11:45 am - 12:45am, Elizabeth Park; Aberdeen: 1:00pm - 2:00pm, Aberdeen Shopping Centre; Muswellbrook: 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre. 9th February 2016 - Dungog: 10:00am - 11:00am, Dungog Art Society; Maitland: TBA, Maitland Art Gallery; Newcastle: TBA. 2 - Up Country Entertainer - Thursday 21st January, 2016 www.facebook.com/entertainerpublication

what s on Enrol now for instrumental and voice lessons The Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music has taught thousands of students delivering quality music education across a wide variety of instruments to all ages and skill levels. Lessons commence Monday 1st February 2016 Lessons available across the region www.uhcm.com.au All enquiries please call 02 6541 4888 2016 Singleton Mayoral Scholarship Program Applications are now open for the 2016 Singleton Mayoral Scholarship Program. This year the program is offering four scholarships of $2000 each for long term study and 12 scholarships of $500 each for short courses each to be awarded to residents of the Singleton local government area studying or with the intention of enrolling to study in 2016 in one of the scholarship categories: Major scholarship of $2000 Trades - for a student currently completing an apprenticeship or traineeship, University Level - for a student studying undergraduate, postgraduate, masters and doctorate. High School - for a student in year 10, year 11 or year 12 in 2016 and/or completed the School Certificate or the Higher School Certificate in 2015. Vocational - for a student currently completing vocational study in any discipline. Minor scholarships of $500 Hospitality - for a student attending a short course in a hospitality discipline Retail - for a student attending a short course in a retail trade discipline Community Service - for a student attending a short course in a community service discipline. Agriculture - for a student attending a short course in agriculture. The scholarships can be put towards education fees, tools, text books, transport or housing costs. Singleton Mayor John Martin says the Singleton Mayoral Scholarship Program, now in its seventh year, was established to celebrate community contribution and academic achievements. To date, the program has awarded more than $120,000 in scholarships to deserving local recipients. Complete your online application at www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/ scholarship before Sunday 28 February 2016. MAYORAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2015: From back left, Mark Rogers (Coal & Allied), Singleton Mayor John Martin, Roger Lewis (Hunter Resource Recovery), from front left, Georgia McManus, Teliah Buckton, Ryan Davies and Digby Short (Ashton Coal). Scone Motor Inn Conference Centre Affordable 4 star Accommodation King Suites, Spa Suites and Two-Bedroom Apartments Corporate Rates and FREE Wi-Fi Internet Conference and Meeting Facilities Licenced Bar and meals Monday to Fridays Breakfasts 7 days including Room Service Cnr New England Hwy & Mount St 02 6545 3079 www.sconemotorinn.com.au www.huntervalleyprinting.com.au/pages/entertainer.php Thursday 21st January, 2016 - Up Country Entertainer - 3

out & about Big first night for exhibition The opening night of Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre s first exhibition for 2016 with Rhondda Walters: Themes and Variations; Max Watters Sydney Exhibition Preview 2016; Art of the Body Politic: Councillors and the Collections presented some stunning artworks along with a supportive gathering of art enthusiasts. The exhibition will run until 21st February 2016. For further information log onto: muswellbrookartscentre.com.au 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. [1] Wayne Clark and Trish Hobbs [2] Councillor Jennifer Leckie with the stunning Ben Kenning work she has loaned to the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection and is a part of the current exhibition Art of the Body Politic. [3] John and Suzie Kirk of Merriwa [4] Janice Hanicar, Marie Lunney and Russell Peirce [5] Acting Manager of Community Services at Muswellbrook Shire Council, Kim Manwarring [6] Sally Hann and Fiona Murray [7] Muswellbrook Ceramics Group members and friends - Kelly Newman, Margaret Cooper, Pat Dann and Carol Scaramuzzi [8] James Butler enjoying the first group of exhibitions for 2016 [9] Max Watters (middle) with brothers Gregory (left) and Robert (right) [10] Newly appointed Director Planning Community & Corporate Services at Muswellbrook Shire Council, Peter Veneris with wife Leanne [11] Exhibiting artist Rhondda Walters (right) with her student, Maia Manning from Hamilton. Images courtesy of Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre. CELLAR DOOR Open 7 days 10am - 4pm A taste of the Upper Hunter Valley just 10km west of Jerrys Plains RESTAURANT Breakfast: Saturday & Sunday Lunch: Daily Dinner: Friday & Saturday. Bookings essential Phone 6576 4007 info@vinesathollydene.com 4 - Up Country Entertainer - Thursday 21st January, 2016 www.facebook.com/entertainerpublication

food & wine Haydon Hall Whether it s a leisurely brunch, coffee on the run or a relaxed lunch with friends, our Courtyard Cafe will satisfy your every wish and mood. Check the menu on our website ART GALLERY GALLERY SHOP COURTYARD CAFE 66 Mayne Street Murrurundi NSW 2338 Phone: 6546 6969 Open Thursday to Sunday 11.00am - 5.00pm www.haydonhall.com.au Merriwa Hostel welcomes new committee Merriwa s Gummun Place Hostel welcomed the new management committee in December 2015. The committee was then ratified at last Tuesday night s council meeting. Paddock to Pantry Royal Hotel - Motel, Scone To Merriwa Two Rivers Vineyard The Denman Hunter Belle Cheese To Singleton Hollydene Estate Wines Hostel Management Committee Chair Cr Deirdre Peebles said she was delighted to be part of such a worthwhile facility and happy committee. The Hostel is an integral part of the community, caring for our aged. The staff do a wonderful job looking after the residents, always with the community in mind - encouraging residents to join in with activities and outings. In turn, the residents enjoy the company of young people, students from the schools and visitors alike, Cr Peebles said. OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER 7 DAYS BREAKFAST SUNDAYS FROM 8AM For bookings please call 6547 2207 1-5 Ogilvie Street Denman denmanhotel.com.au ACCOMMODATION Look us up! A true country experience Muswellbrook Denman Sandy Hollow Muswellbrook Visitor Information Centre 126 Bridge Street (library), Muswellbrook Ph: 02 6549 3891 www.upperhuntercountry.com.au Denman Visitor Information Centre 7 Ogilvie Street, Denman Ph: 02 6547 2799 www.visitdenman.com.au www.huntervalleyprinting.com.au/pages/entertainer.php Thursday 21st January, 2016 - Up Country Entertainer - 5

leisure & lifestyle King of the Ranges all set for February Kelaher Transport of Willow Tree proudly displays KOTR signage by Country Mile Signs (Quirindi). Pictured is Earl Kelaher (Kelaher Transport & KOTR president) and Andrew Hope (CMS & Mayor, Liverpool Plains Shire Council). Image by Kris Hope. You can catch KOTR display in the Tamworth Country Music Festival Toyota Cavalcade this Saturday 23rd January with the Kelaher truck plus a float: 2016 theme Music & Milestones with a string of stockmen on horseback with pack horses. 6541 1555 Pet Medical in Muswellbrook open evenings and weekends. Pets don t just get sick or injured between 9-5, Mon-Fri. As part of our mission to provide exceptional client service to pet owners and the best possible medical care to pets, Pet Medical s Muswellbrook hospital is open 8-8 Mon-Fri and 9-5 Sat-Sun. Muswellbrook Scone Denman 6541 1555 6544 3201 6547 2222 www.petmedical.com.au With just over one month until Murrurundi s King of the Ranges Stockman s Challenge & Bush Festival takes place, there s still time to make plans to attend this thrilling competition. The event puts competitors through their paces in a variety of disciplines including pack saddle, horse shoeing and whipcracking. The competition culminates with a buckjump and wild brumby catch on the final day of competition. The competition was traditionally held in May as part of the Scone & Upper Hunter Horse Festival, but the event is being held on the new dates: 25 28 February. It s hoped the longer daylight hours will benefit the competition. For more information and to download entry forms log on to www.kingoftheranges.com.au. Brucellosis alert Upper Hunter dog owners have been warned to look out for an illness that can affect dogs and humans. Brucellosis is a bacteria that mainly affects feral pigs but can spread to dogs and humans. Dogs generally contract the bacteria from eating raw pig meat or hunting. Dogs which mate with an infected dog and pups born to an infected mother are also at risk. Humans can catch the disease if an open wound has contact with a pig. A dog from Aberdeen has tested positive for brucellosis. It had been hunting in the Murrurundi and Blackville area. Dogs generally don t show symptoms, so it s important to contact your vet if you suspect your dog has been exposed. Humans generally exhibit flu like symptoms, the bacteria is particularly dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause spontaneous miscarriage. Driving the Hunter! Saunders Honda Ph: 6545 9822 Saunders Mazda Ph: 6545 1982 MD053886 MVRL50864 6 - Up Country Entertainer - Thursday 21st January, 2016 www.facebook.com/entertainerpublication

leisure & lifestyle Redesigning Scone Golf Course Upper Hunter Shire Council is seeking community views on a draft redesign for Scone Golf Course with written comments invited by Friday 12 February 2016. To find out more attend the public information session with the golf course architects to be held at 6pm, Wednesday 27 January 2016, at Scone Sporties. The golf course redesign is needed as the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) proposed New England Highway bypass of Scone has a planned route through the existing golf course affecting holes 1, 4, 6, 7, 9. It does not involve changes to the Scone Sporties Clubhouse. For further information/enquiries please email: council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au or post to: General Manager, Upper Hunter Shire Council P O Box 208, Scone 2337. MUSWELLBROOK CINEMA MOVIE REVIEW THE BIG SHORT An interesting look at the story behind the Global Financial Crisis.When four outsiders saw what the big banks media and government refused to the global collapse of the economy, they had an idea: The Big Short. Their bold investment leads them into the dark underbelly of modern banking where they must question everyone and everything. For screening times check www.muswellbrookcinema.com.au Bringing more than 25 years of experience of high-quality work in both digital and offset printing 90 kelly street scone 6545 2888 6 wilkins street muswellbrook 6541 1358 www.huntervalleyprinting.com.au THE WAYFARER MOTEL New England Highway, Muswellbrook On-call late check-in until 10pm Room service available for breakfasts Undercover guest barbecue and rest area Backing onto golf course Clean, comfortable and affordable 25 air-conditioned rooms Free WIFI and pool 6541 1744 0497 107 459 reception@wayfarermotel.com.au DENMAN MOTOR INN 8 Crinoline Street, Denman Ph: 6547 2462 Fax: 6547 2976 email: reception@denmanmotorinn.com.au www.denmanmotorinn.com.au Fully cooked breakfast Peaceful and central location FREE Internet Austar BBQ facilities Pool MacCallum Inglis the Upper Hunters Leading Stock & Station Agency providing you with a wealth of local experience combined with the strength of Australia s foremost Bloodstock Auctioneers William Inglis. Specialising in the following areas: 198 Kelly Street Scone Tel +612 6540 1200 Fax +612 6545 2687 www.maccalluminglis.com.au www.huntervalleyprinting.com.au/pages/entertainer.php Thursday 21st January, 2016 - Up Country Entertainer - 7

entertainment scene The Country Championships Pictured is Artlee winning the Yarraman Park-Horsepower Luskin Star Stakes at Scone on 14 May 2015. Artlee (trained by Todd Willan at Muswellbrook) was also the winner at The Country Championships at Randwick last year. Image by Katrina Partridge Photography. www.facebook.com/entertainerpublication WIN! a double pass to Majestic Cinemas. See page 2 for details Scone Race Club will host The Country Championships for the Hunter & North West Racing Association on Sunday February 21. It promises to be an exciting day with the chance to get a start at Randwick on the line. The Country Championships qualifying heats have $100,000 prize money, the Wild Card has $50,000 prize money while the fi nal has a giant $400,000 in prizemoney plus beautiful trophies. Racing NSW will be hosting a VIP luncheon involving local dignitaries and other VIPs. There will be fantastic, free activities for the children including jumping castle, slides, face painter, magician and pony rides along with gourmet food and coffee vans to please the palate. For more information log on to www. sconeraceclub.com.au and keep tuned to Up Country Entertainer. Record-breaking donation for Singleton A small and hardworking team of local people has more than doubled its efforts to raise a record-breaking $145,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. The amount is the highest ever donated from the Hunter s many Support Groups. During last year the Singleton Support Group helped organise a number of events and activities including trivia nights, bus trips, money tins, donations and Christmas wrapping services at Big W. Secretary Danny Eather says the success clearly refl ects the generosity of the local area. The collective effort is an outstanding achievement. Our group works brilliantly together and with the community to make sure the Rescue Helicopter can serve our region whenever and wherever it s needed. Mr Eather said. It s been a tough time for Singleton in terms of employment and rising living costs which just makes it so inspiring to see support remaining strong. According to Service General Manager, Richard Jones, volunteers are the lifeblood of the Service. The fundraising efforts from the Singleton community are really quite astonishing, Mr Jones said. On 6 December 2015 the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service celebrated 40 years since it began as a weekend beach patrol. Today it operates as a 24-hour-a-day aeromedical service which has undertaken more than 30,000 missions and helped to save thousands of lives. Image: Secretary Danny Eather [First Left] with some of the dedicated Singleton Support Group volunteers. The Adrianna Rouge Band Isis Motel is the best value place to stay in Scone and offers ideal accommodation for travellers, families and workers. The Isis Motel is conveniently located on the New England Highway at the southern entrance to Scone. Come and stay for a night or stay for a week! Phone: 02 6545 1100 Fax: 02 6545 1750 Email: isismotel@yahoo.com.au www.isismotelscone.com.au 8 - Up Country Entertainer - Thursday 21st January, 2016 www.facebook.com/entertainerpublication