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 25th February, 2016 Missed an issue? www.huntervalleyprinting.com.au/pages/entertainer.php KOTR snaps into gear! See inside ADDING TO YEARS TV Guide SCONE GRAMMAR RAMMA AMM AMM MAR MA AR R SCHOOL SCH SCH SC CHO C OOL PRESENTS PR <PM [\WZa Q[ ITT VM_ <PM PQ\[ IZM ITT -T^Q[ Inspired by and featuring the songs of Book by JOE DIPIETRO ADRENALIN RUSH: The Australian senior and junior horseball teams will be demonstrating their skills at King of the Ranges Stockman s Challenge this weekend. ELVIS PRESLEY Dates: Thursday 3 March, Friday 4 March, Saturday 5 March Time: 6.00pm Location: Scone High School Tickets: $25 available from sgs.nsw.edu.au The King of the Ranges Stockman s Challenge (KOTR) is on in Murrurundi this weekend and several new events are also part of the line-up. A cattle dog trial is scheduled to begin on Saturday. Continued on page 6 THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS: Allison Sedgwick Rotary Club of Scone Muswellbrook Security Services evolve advertising & marketing Upper Hunter Shire Council Reg Osborn Scone Lions Club Scone Medical The Hunted Gourmet Victoria s Hair & Beauty Sparke Helmore Y ARR RRANGEMENT NGEMENT WITH ORIG ORIGIN N THEA EATRICALL O ON BEHALFF O OFF THEATR ATR TRI RICA AL RIGH IGH GH GHT HTTS WORLDWI HTS WIDE WID IDE DE, E, NEW N W YORK O OR SESSION TIMES: THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY - WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH Cinema is closed Mondays outside of school & public holidays HOW TO BE SINGLE (M) 110mins Phone: (02) 4044 0600 (M) 102mins 10.15am, 2.00pm & 6.50pm 9.50am, 4.20pm & 6.30pm ZOOLANDER 2 STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (M) 102mins 12-15 Sydney Street Muswellbrook DEADPOOL 12.20pm & 8.40pm (M) 160mins 4.10pm RIDE ALONG 2 (M) 112mins 12.00pm, 2.25pm & 8.50pm COMING SOON The Choice : The Finest Hours : Zootopia Kung Fu Panda 3 : The Huntsman - Winter War My Big Fat Greek Wedding : The Lady in the Van Batman vs Superman : The Jungle Book Dad s Army : Bad Neighbours 2 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 Help Clean Up Australia in 2016 Upper Hunter Shire Council is supporting the 26th annual Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 6 March with events across the shire. All residents are invited to come along to help out, bring the kids and enjoy a barbecue or morning tea. Rubbish bags will be available but please bring along a pair of gloves and a water bottle, and wear sensible shoes, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Scone: Meet at Elizabeth Park from 9.00am to sign up and teams will be allocated to nearby areas. For more information contact Council on 6540 1100. Murrurundi: Meet behind the Bowling Club from 10.00am to 12noon. For more information phone Community Services Officer Heather Ranclaud on 6540 1356. Merriwa: Meet from 9.30am at Rotary Park. For more information contact Beron Arden Wood at the Merriwa District Progress Association on 6548 2245. Community and sporting groups please register for insurance purposes your Clean Up by contacting 6541 1141. Muswellbrook Shire Council is on the lookout for volunteers from across the community to take part in Clean Up Australia Day. Residents, community groups and businesses are encouraged to volunteer for Clean Up Australia Day activities in either Muswellbrook or Denman from 9.00 am at Simpson Park in Muswellbrook and at the picnic table near Merino Street in Denman (on the name path). You can register and find out more about events right across the region online at www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au Image: [above right] Upper Hunter Shire Council Community Services Officer Heather Ranclaud, Janine Nolan, Carolyn Farrow, Robyn Orman, Jen Sanders and Elsie Bell Clean Up Murrurundi. T F, (N/A public holidays) T W Eve a PROGRAM INFORMATION THURS 25th FEB to WED 2nd MARCH Written and Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen HAIL, CAESAR! (PG) 13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI (MA15+) Nominated for 6 Academy Awards incl Best Picture SPOTLIGHT (M) Rebel Wilson in HOW TO BE SINGLE (M) Kevin Hart in RIDE ALONG 2 (M) DEADPOOL (MA15+) ZOOLANDER 2 (M) THE DANISH GIRL (M) ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP (PG) - ALL SEATS $6.00 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. 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! All completed entries to be received by 2nd March 2016. Rules for the competition will be provided upon purchase of the Imagination Boxes 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) 2 - Up Country Entertainer - Thursday 25th February, 2016 www.facebook.com/entertainerpublication
what s on A Change in the Dreaming Scone Motor Inn Conference Centre A passion for horses and a dose of homesickness were the inspiration for Denman author Laura Sykes first novel. A Change in the Dreaming is the tale of a family tragedy and a mob of wild horses in a National Park. The controversial issue of wild brumbies is a major theme in the book. Ms Sykes describes herself as a bit of a conservationist at heart. She hopes the novel will help dispel some myths about wild horses. Ms Sykes wants people to know different populations of the horses are good for different things. For example the stockier ponies from the Snowies make great kids ponies, while the taller and more sensitive Guy Fawkes mobs can make excellent working or performance mounts with the right training. The more people willing to give these horses a chance, the more we can take out of the parks, she said. Locals might also be able to pick out some familiar characters in the book, which Ms Sykes says she wrote to cure homesickness while living in Armidale where she completed a degree in writing, editing and publishing. Ms Sykes recently returned to the Upper Hunter and has plans to write more books, one may even be a sequel to A Change in the Dreaming. The book is available through most major online retailers. You can find out more about Laura Sykes online at http://laurasykesauthor. wix.com/home COVER IMAGE: [above] A Change in the Dreaming ebook by Laura Sykes. PASSIONATE: [above right] Young author Laura Sykes from Denman writes from her heart and is attracting much interest with her first book. 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 Looking back, looking forward new exhibitions Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre is preparing to unveil three new exhibitions this Friday 26th February @ 6pm: A Snapshot and Miniatures XVIII. A Snapshot celebrates 28 years of the Muswellbrook Photographic Award from 1987 2014. In Print: from the Max Watters Collection. Coal and Allied withdrew funding for the prize and this exhibition will look back both at what the award has achieved over the past 28 years and the Muswellbrook and District Camera Club s involvement and contribution to the photographic arts locally and further afield. It s hoped the exhibition will inspire a new sponsor for the event. Miniatures is a popular show featuring the work of local artists from across the Upper Hunter Region. The exhibition will be open from 27th February until 17th April 2016. To find out more about these shows and other events at the centre log on to muswellbrookartscentre.com.au www.huntervalleyprinting.com.au/pages/entertainer.php Thursday 25th February, 2016 - Up Country Entertainer - 3
out & about Things are getting shady at Murrurundi pool in a good way. There is now a large shade sail at the shallow end of the 25m pool to keep the sun off patrons when they re swimming. It s hoped the shade will help prevent skin cancers now and into the future. Aberdeen Men s Shed to open its doors Upper Hunter Shire Council and the Aberdeen Men s Shed members are excited to announce that the construction of a 22 metre x 8 metre shed at Jefferson Park, has been completed to the lock-up stage. Mayor Wayne Bedggood said he was delighted to hand the keys over to the Men s Shed members for the next phase of construction. The shed has been built on Councilmanaged Crown Land that has been leased to the Aberdeen Men s Shed for a term of 20 years. Aberdeen Men s Shed president Frank Heap said it was great to finally have a shed to call their own. On behalf of the group, I would like to thank Upper Hunter Shire Council for all their support and let the community know that we are hoping to have the construction complete for a grand opening around May 2016, Mr Heap said. Mr Heap said that the group will mainly do handy man jobs but anyone was welcome to come along with no-obligation to pick up a tool. The Aberdeen Men s Shed joins the three other Men s Sheds in the Upper Hunter Shire. COME ON DOWN TO THE SHED: Bob Mitchell, Peter Tillerman, Council s Director of Infrastructure Services Alan Fletcher, Milton Knight, Council s Engineering Assistant Craig Holman, Mick Carey, Paul Hobbs and Aberdeen Men s Shed president Frank Heap at the new shed in Jefferson Park. Singleton community to benefit from voluntary planning agreement with Mt Owen Singleton residents are invited to have their say about how much money the proposed Mt Owen mine project must give to the community and how it will be spent, if the project goes ahead. The draft voluntary planning agreement is now on exhibition. Under the plan more than $1million will go to local projects including the establishment of an allabilities playground at Rose Point Park, beautification of the river front at the same park, an annual cycle events and support for Aboriginal cultural events. The plan can be viewed online at www.singleton.nsw.gov.au 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 25th February, 2016 www.facebook.com/entertainerpublication
food & wine 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 Scone, the backdrop for new young adults book Haydon Hall Paddock to Pantry Royal Hotel - Motel, Scone Two Rivers Vineyard To Merriwa The Denman Hunter Belle Cheese To Singleton Hollydene Estate Wines Image: Author Kaz Delaney, Hunt-A-Book owner Ian Hunt and Upper Hunter Shire Library Coordinator Elizabeth Walter at Murrurundi Library. Over 30 people attended the book launch of The Reluctant Jillaroo at Scone Library recently. The Reluctant Jillaroo by the award-winning author Kaz Delaney, is set in Scone, so there are plenty of horses as well as a mystery and a bit of romance making it suitable reading for ages 10 and upwards. The Reluctant Jillaroo is published by Allen & Unwin and can be purchased through Hunt-A-Book in Kelly Street Scone. After the launch Ms Delaney travelled to Murrurundi to hold a free creative writing workshop at the library. The events were sponsored by the Upper Hunter Shire Libraries Author and Literacy Program. 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 25th February, 2016 - Up Country Entertainer - 5
leisure & lifestyle Friday: Adult $10 - Junior $5 (13-17) Saturday: Adult $20 - Junior $10 (13-17) Sunday: Adults $20 - Junior $10 (13-17) Daily: Family $40 (2 adults + 2 junior 13-17yrs) 3 Day Pass: Adult $40 - Junior $20 - Family $90 Event & Entry Information 0419 207 910 kingoftheranges@gmail.com www.kingoftheranges.com.au KOTR snaps into gear! Continued from front page The top five competitors in the stock handling section of the Challenge event will be entering the dog trial together with a number of invited dog trialers. If it s an adrenalin rush that you are looking for, then you can t go past horesball. This exciting equine team sport is played by two teams of four riders each using a soccer ball with six leather straps attached. Playing the ball by hand and making at least three consecutive passes, the riders attempt to score a basket. The Australian Horseball junior and senior teams will play in demonstration games at the Challenge on Saturday and Sunday. The ancient sport of tent pegging will also be on display at the festival. The sport began when mounted soldiers galloped through the enemy camps collapsing the tents which allowed the following foot soldiers to mount an attack. The Tamworth Tent Pegging Club will be demonstrating team and individual events that they regularly compete in. There s something for everyone at this year s KOTR Stockman s Challenge & Bush Festival which commences on Friday 26th February and continues over the weekend. Find out about these events and many more at www.kingoftheranges.com.au Driving the Hunter! Saunders Honda Ph: 6545 9822 Saunders Mazda Ph: 6545 1982 MD053886 MVRL50864 6 - Up Country Entertainer - Thursday 25th February, 2016 www.facebook.com/entertainerpublication
leisure & lifestyle Pink Shirt Day in the Upper Hunter Shire Put your pink shirt on to stand up against bullying this month. The Upper Hunter Youth Council is hosting a Pink Shirt Day on Friday, 26 February 2016 to bring awareness to bullying in schools, workplaces and generally life. Upper Hunter Shire Council s Youth Services Supervisor, Mary Spora said that this event comes from two incredible high school students from the United States in 2007. When a fellow student was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt, these two students decided to take a stand. They went out and bought pink shirts to give to fellow students to show their support for the boy who was being bullied, for simply the colour of shirt he decided to wear that day, Ms Spora said. If you are unable to wear a pink shirt due to uniform requirements, why not add a touch of pink to your outfit whether it be a wrist band, hat, socks, or a ribbon in your hair. It will all have the same outcome; helping to make a difference in our community, Ms Spora said. Image: Members of the Upper Hunter Youth Council, Chelsea Speck, Sara Schofield, Alby O Regan, Darcy Pittman, Phoebe Weatherly and Upper Hunter Shire s Youth Services Supervisor Mary Spora are bringing awareness of bullying within schools and workplaces this month. The Virtual Shed tours on again Bookings for the Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre s next Virtual Shed tours are closing soon. Men from the Upper Hunter can choose a trip to the Stockton sand dunes to take a quad bike tour and check out a shipwreck or a visit to Fighter World at Williamtown. Both tours include a trip to a brewery and a beer tasting. To find out more contact Belinda on 65452562, email Belinda@snrc.com.au or log on to www.snrc.com.au Have your say on access and inclusion Singleton Shire Council is planning to develop a Disability Inclusion Action Plan and it wants locals to have their input. If you have a disability, care for someone with a disability or are a community member committed to making a difference, you re invited to participate in one of three consultation sessions being held next month. Council has engaged Paul Nunnari, Manager of NSW Event Access and Inclusion at the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, to facilitate the sessions on 2 and 3 March. The sessions on March 2 are for community members while service providers and those working in the disability sector will attend sessions on March 3. To get more information about these events log on to www.singleton.nsw.gov.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 25th February, 2016 - Up Country Entertainer - 7
entertainment scene Keep the sheep in their red socks Calling for new sponsors and volunteers for the 2016 Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces The Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces will celebrate its twenty-sixth year in June and is seeking support to keep the red socks running. www.facebook.com/entertainerpublication WIN! a double pass to Majestic Cinemas. See page 2 for details The Festival, which includes the popular running of the sheep in red socks, has thrived thanks to the contribution of sponsors and the hard work of volunteers. The Festival of the Fleeces committee is currently looking for new sponsors and volunteers to come on board and support this important rural festival in 2016 and beyond. Committee chairperson and Upper Hunter Shire Councillor Deirdre Peebles said large crowds are expected at the 2016 Festival and sponsors would benefi t from being involved in this important event on the NSW festival calendar. The Festival will be held from Friday evening, 10 June 2016, until Sunday morning, 12 June 2016. The highlight of this community-run event still is the Saturday s festival parade lead by a mob of around 300 sheep. Some of the other favourite events include the opening night fashion parade Fashions of the Fleece, sheep yard dog trials, shearing demonstrations, a bush poets breakfast featuring the current national female bush poet Robyn Sykes, wool spinning demonstrations, felting exhibitions, educational displays for children including Croc Stars reptile show, puppet shows, a petting zoo and a spectacular KaBoom fi reworks display on the Saturday evening. For updates on the Festival please visit www.festivalofthefleeces.com.au, like their Facebook Page or follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/merriwafleeces If you are passionate about regional community events and would like to support the Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces, then please contact Upper Hunter Shire Council Tourism and Events Coordinator, Jan Sinclair on 02 6540 1301 or by email on jsinclair@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au The Last Waltz Revisited One of the greatest concert fi lms of all time will be re-created at the Sydney Opera House at the start of April. Originally held at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco as The Band s farewell concert, The Last Waltz brought together rock and roll royalty to pay tribute to everyone s favourite group, THE BAND. Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, Eric Clapton and others performed an incredible variety of well-known and cult hits. Introduced by RocKwiz co-host and writer, Brian Nankervis, this is your chance to hear the stories (and the myths) behind the concert and to witness the incredible music, performed live by a star studded Australian cast. A star studded line up of Australian artists including Paul Dempsey, Vika & Linda Bull, Eric Clapton and the RockWiz Orkestra. Find out more and book tickets online at www.sydneyoperahouse.com MUSWELLBROOK CINEMA MOVIE REVIEW RIDE ALONG 2 Rookie lawman Ben Barber (Kevin Hart) aspires to become a detective like James Payton (Ice Cube), his future brother-in-law. James reluctantly takes Ben to Miami to follow up on a lead that's connected to a drug ring. The case brings them to a homicide detective and a computer hacker who reveals evidence that implicates a respected businessman. It's now up to James and Ben to prove that charismatic executive Antonio Pope is actually a violent crime lord who rules southern Florida's drug trade. For screening times check www.muswellbrookcinema.com.au 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 25th February, 2016 www.facebook.com/entertainerpublication