TV Guide TO YEARS ADDING See inside 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. SESSION TIMES: THURSDAY 14 JANUARY - WEDNESDAY 20 JANUARY Cinema is now open 7 days a week www.muswellbrookcinema.com.au 12-15 Sydney Street Muswellbrook Phone: (02) 4044 0600 Live in Muswellbrook? Don’t forget the Courtesy Bus is available to get you to the cinema. Ph: 6543 2011 THE GOOD DINOSAUR (PG) 110mins DAILY IN 2D 9.30am & 4.00pm DADDY’S HOME (PG) 110mins DAILY 11.45am & 8.50pm GOOSEBUMPS (PG) 110mins DAILY 3D: 9.40am 2D: 1.55pm & 6.45pm POINT BREAK (M) 120mins DAILY IN 2D 4.30pm SISTERS (MA15+) 124mins DAILY 2.10pm & 8.40pm STARWARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (M) 145mins DAILY 3D: 6.05pm 2D: 11.35am COMING SOON Zootopia : Deadpool : The Choice : The Big Short : Dirty Grandpa : London Has Fallen : The Danish Girl : The Hateful Eight : The Finest Hours : Zoolander 2 : Gods of Egypt : Ride Along 2 Opening next week on 21 January, Best Actor award winner; Eddie Redmayne in another brilliant role following ‘The Theory of Everything’ ----- THE DANISH GIRL. A movie not to be missed. Missed an issue? www.huntervalleyprinting.com.au/Pages/Entertainer.php The only way to find out what’s going on! Serving the Hunter for over 20 years with a readership of over 4,000 weekly! Thursday 14th January, 2016 Amelia Wilkinson 0400 099 761 / [email protected] / theeventstoreroom.com.au facebook.com/theeventstoreroom +7516/ ;776 807<7*77<0 .7: 01:- SRC10127f 434 Bunnan Road Scone NSW Tel: 02 6545 1607 [email protected]sconeraceclub.com.au Next Race Day Thursday 21 January 2016 8 TAB races Free gate entry - open 11.30am SHANE NICHOLSON: 2015 ARIA award winner for Best Country Album has a strong seven nominations for the 2016 Country Music Awards of Australia to be held at Tamworth this month. Story continued page 2 Australia’s biggest music festival counting down The Tamworth Country Music Festival has long been one of the nation’s and the world’s most-loved music festivals and is renowned for great atmosphere, great entertainment, and great music no matter where you go in the town.
Transcript
TV GuideT O Y E A R SA D D I N G
See inside
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.
SESSION TIMES: THURSDAY 14 JANUARY - WEDNESDAY 20 JANUARYCinema is now open 7 days a week
www.muswellbrookcinema.com.au
12-15 Sydney StreetMuswellbrook
Phone: (02) 4044 0600Live in Muswellbrook? Don’t forget the Courtesy Bus is available to get you to the cinema. Ph: 6543 2011
THE GOOD DINOSAUR(PG) 110mins
DAILY IN 2D9.30am & 4.00pm
DADDY’S HOME(PG) 110mins
DAILY11.45am & 8.50pm
GOOSEBUMPS(PG) 110mins
DAILY 3D: 9.40am2D: 1.55pm & 6.45pm
POINT BREAK(M) 120mins
DAILY IN 2D4.30pm
SISTERS(MA15+) 124mins
DAILY2.10pm & 8.40pm
STARWARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS(M) 145mins
DAILY 3D: 6.05pm2D: 11.35am
COMING SOONZootopia : Deadpool : The Choice : The Big Short : Dirty Grandpa : London Has Fallen : The Danish Girl : The Hateful Eight : The Finest Hours : Zoolander 2 : Gods of Egypt : Ride Along 2
Opening next week on 21 January, Best Actor award winner; Eddie Redmayne in another brilliant role following ‘The Theory of Everything’ ----- THE DANISH GIRL. A movie not to be missed.
Missed an issue? www.huntervalleyprinting.com.au/Pages/Entertainer.php
The only way to fi nd out what’s going on!
Serving the Hunter for over 20 years with a readership of over 4,000 weekly!
SHANE NICHOLSON: 2015 ARIA award winner for Best Country Album has a strong seven nominations for the 2016 Country Music Awards of Australia to be held at Tamworth this month.
Story continued page 2
Australia’s biggest music festival counting downThe Tamworth Country Music Festival has long been one of the nation’s and the world’s most-loved music festivals and is renowned for great atmosphere, great entertainment, and great music no matter where you go in the town.
2 - Up Country Entertainer - Thursday 14th January, 2016 www.facebook.com/EntertainerPublication
Australia’s biggest music festival counting downContinued from front page
From the buskers in Peel Street to booked-out concert venues and open-house pub gigs, the town comes alive and will do so for the 44th time this month with the Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival Tamworth 2016 . Australia Day long weekend in 1968 saw the Tamworth branch of the Modern Country Music Association host a talent quest. This event is held by many to be the predecessor of the festival that country music lovers from all over Australia know and love today, however the first official year of the festival is set at 1973, when the Country Music Awards were held by Radio 2TM in support of the Country Music Capital promotion with other events including the Bluegrass Championship, Hands of Fame Roll of Renown, the Tamworth Pro Rodeo and several others. It was also the year that a great tradition within the festival was born – the buskers of Peel Street.
This month the streets of Tamworth will come to life between the dates of 15th and 24th January. The pinnacle of the festival comes on the last Saturday in January each year with the red-carpet event, the Golden Guitar Awards.
Image: Lee Kernaghan heads the pack with eight nominations for Golden Guitars at this month’s Country Music Awards of Australia.
Recognised as one of the top-ten music festivals in the world, celebrities, hopefuls and just plain music-lovers alike all congregate to celebrate country music, meet up with friends and have a true-blue good time. Stroll along Peel Street and listen to some of the best country musician ‘hopefuls’ from all over Australia. You’ll hear some amazing voices, singing everything from favourite old Slim Dusty covers to original songs. Big names like Kasey Chambers, Keith Urban and Troy Cassar-Daley are just some names you’ll recognise who once nervously opened their voices and hearts up for the crowds on Peel Street.
Around 55,000 visitors turn up every year as Tamworth rejoices at the influx of people for ten days.
If you want to find out more information about the 2016 Tamworth Country Music Festival, you can look online at:www.tamworthcountrymusic.com.au
PROGRAM INFORMATION THURS 14th to WED 20th JANUARY
Leonardo DiCaprio in THE REVENANT (MA15+) POINT BREAK (M) Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are SISTERS (MA15+)
STAR WARS: EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS (M) THE PEANUTS MOVIE (G) Disney - Pixar presents THE GOOD DINOSAUR (PG)
Will Ferrell in DADDY’S HOME (PG) ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS 4 (PG)
Thursday 14th January, 2016 - Up Country Entertainer - 3www.huntervalleyprinting.com.au/Pages/Entertainer.php
A clear sense of placeThe latest exhibition at Murrurundi’s Michael Reid Gallery is one not to be missed. Called ‘A Place We Dream Of’ highlights five female Australian artists that have come together to present a unique and intriguing show which explores a sense of place. Artists Danielle Tooley, Julia Roberts, Helen McCullagh, Catherine Hickson & Sophie Gralton collectively attempt to capture a unique depiction of place – tempered by real and lived experience, and shaped by the passage of time and the distortions of memory. The Michael Reid Gallery is open from 11am – 5pm Friday – Sunday on Boyd Street, Murrurundi. For further information visit www.michaelreid.com.au
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what’s on
Rhondda Walters: Themes and VariationsMuswellbrook Regional Art Centre’s newest exhibition takes collage to the next level as artist Rhondda Walters uses her work to grapple with grief. After losing her husband in 2011, it was challenging for the artist, of over 40 years continuous experience, to begin painting again and so Rhondda reverted to what she describes as her ‘comfort zone’, working in the medium of collage. The three series that have since evolved ‘Comfort Zone’, ‘Zen Zone’ and ‘The Studio’ have been created utilising a range of textures, media and colour. Rhondda, as always, adopts an approach to the production of her work freely and with an open mind, utilising the shapes and forms suggested by reality.
The exhibition is on at Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre until February 21. Log on to http://muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au/index.php/mrac-home for more information.
Image: Rhondda Walters, Studio Stuff , mixed media/ collage.
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Images: [Above] Member for the Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen MP and Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Wayne Bedggood cut the ribbon on the new Aberdeen Outdoor Recreation Hub. [Right] Patrick and Riana Tillemans shoot a basket at the opening of the new Aberdeen Outdoor Recreation Hub.
The Hub of AberdeenThe new Aberdeen Outdoor Recreation Hub was officially opened on Friday 11 December 2015.The new facility which includes a half-basketball court, skate park, two tennis courts, learn-to-ride bike track and a free electric barbecue was opened by the Member for the Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen MP.
Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Wayne Bedggood thanked everyone involved and presented certificates of appreciation to members of the Deen City Youth Group.
The project was funded by the NSW Government through the ClubGRANTS Category 3 Fund. In addition to the $144,000 ClubGRANTS funds, contributions came from Aberdeen community groups including Aberdeen All Stars, Playgroup and Deen City Youth Group.
Image: Rachael Tillemans, Karina Tillemans and Belinda Olteanu try out the new free electric barbecue at the official opening of the Aberdeen Outdoor Recreation Hub.
Have your say on safety strategySingleton residents can now look at and comment on the council’s new community safety strategy. Crime data suggests Singleton is a relatively-safe community, but inaccurate reports on social media have left some people feeling less safe. The strategy is designed not only to address safety issues in the community but also to help locals feel safer. Domestic violence, road safety, mental health and neighbourhood factors were all identified as key-priority areas when the plan was written. Residents can read the plan and have their say online at www.singleton.nsw.gov.au
Thursday 14th January, 2016 - Up Country Entertainer - 5www.huntervalleyprinting.com.au/Pages/Entertainer.php
Margo Humphries art show
Margo Humphries is the guest artist at Gallery & Grind during January and February 2016. Gallery & Grind is a café and an art gallery in one space. Margo Humphries is a visual artist who has been based in Lake Macquarie since 2003. Born and raised in Taree, Margo has always enjoyed art, her painting became more than a hobby when she set up her business in 2009.
Margo paints objects and scenes that you could easily recognise, but she tries to make them more than what she sees, so she abstracts them a little bit. Margo enjoys painting both realistic and abstract works and likes to paint things that catch her eye along with subjects which have great colours.
Gallery & Grind is located at 600 Pacific Highway, Belmont and is open Monday - Friday: 5.30am – 3pm and Saturday - Sunday: 7am – 3pm. You can also visit Margo’s website: www.kasarndesigns.com
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 6969Open Thursday to Sunday 11.00am - 5.00pm
Look us up!A true country experienceMuswellbrook Denman Sandy Hollow
Muswellbrook Visitor Information Centre126 Bridge Street (library), Muswellbrook Ph: 02 6549 3891 www.upperhuntercountry.com.au
Denman Visitor Information Centre 7 Ogilvie Street, Denman Ph: 02 6547 2799www.visitdenman.com.au
Paddock to Pantry
Haydon Hall
Royal Hotel - Motel, Scone
Two Rivers Vineyard
The Denman
Hollydene Estate Wines
Hunter Belle Cheese
�To Merriwa
To Singleton�
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Dani Marti hosts professional development
The Hunter’s artists, designers, jewellers and crafters have the chance to get insider tips at a professional development night being hosted in Newcastle in April. Spanish-born artist Dani Marti will be the keynote speaker. Mr Marti divides his time between Sydney and Glasgow. Mr Marti works across video, installation and public art. Hunter Arts Network is hosting the evening on Tuesday April 19 from 5.30pm. The course costs $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Registration is essential by emailing [email protected]
GUEST SPEAKER AND ARTIST: Dani Marti will appear at the Hunter Arts Network Professional Development evening at Newcastle in April.
Dubbo Arlington Yearling SalesThe Dubbo Yearling Sales will be held on January 24 and Tamworth’s Bruce McHugh has high hopes for the Arlington collection. The nine horses boast promising blood lines. All the yearlings have veterinary x-ray reports and notes there are no abnormalities. For more information about the Arlington collection contact Bruce McHugh [email protected]. To find out more about the Dubbo Yearling Sales call John Hind 0434 047 637 or Ken Blanch 0407 936 978.
Funding win for Singleton Mobile Preschool in 2016Singleton Council has successfully lobbied to reverse changes that would have seen funding halved for the Singleton Mobile Preschool.
The Department of Education had advised Council that it intended to reduce funding to the mobile service that provides education and care to children in Broke, Mount Olive and Mitchells Flat, from $158,000 to $78,496 in 2016.
Council’s Director of Colleen Gale Children’s Services, Rebecca Gilmore, commenced lobbying for the changes to be reversed and was supported by the Mobile Children’s Services Association of NSW, Childcare Community Cooperative and other preschool providers.
Council has been advised that as a result of this lobbying, the NSW Government has reconsidered funding allocations for 2016.
The mobile service will now receive a total of $161,319 in 2016 that includes specific funding to support Aboriginal and low income families.
Singleton Council General Manager Lindy Hyam says it is a fantastic result for local families that use Singleton Mobile Preschool.
“I congratulate Rebecca on her hard work and perseverance in achieving this outcome,” she says. “This is a real credit to herself and her team and will be of enormous benefit to preschool-aged children in our rural communities.”
The Singleton Mobile Preschool was operating at 75 per cent of capacity during the second quarter of 2015/16, an increase of almost 20 per cent since the end of 2014/15.
To enrol your child in the Singleton Mobile Preschool or Collen Gale Children’s Service for 2016 visit www.singleton.nsw.gov.au
JOYOUS: Celebrating the centre’s 21st birthday. Images are courtesy of Singleton Council.
Thursday 14th January, 2016 - Up Country Entertainer - 7www.huntervalleyprinting.com.au/Pages/Entertainer.php
Singleton Library hours to change in 2016Singleton Council has resolved to change the opening hours of Singleton Library commencing in 2016.
The change follows extensive consultation with the community during 2014 and 2015 during a comprehensive review of the library service.
Singleton Council General Manager Lindy Hyam says the new opening hours will have a positive impact on our community.
“The needs of our community have changed since the library first opened at the current site on Queen St 11 years ago,” she says.
“As a result of feedback from library members and other users, we have extended our opening hours on Saturday and reduced the hours mid-week.
“We recognise that will this may inconvenience some people, it will meet the needs of the majority of members.”
As of Monday 4 January 2016, the new library hours will be 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 2pm Saturday.
For more information visit www.singleton.nsw.gov.au
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MUSWELLBROOK CINEMA MOVIE REVIEW
THE DANISH GIRL
A love story inspired by the lives of Danish artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Lili and Gerda's marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili's ground breaking journey as a transgender pioneer. A brilliant per formance by Eddie Redmayne in the leading role.
For screening times checkwww.muswellbrookcinema.com.au
RMS Scone Bypass plans – simply not good enoughScone residents are being urged to have their say on plans for the new bypass and rail crossing with Upper Hunter Shire Council saying the current plans aren’t good enough. Council says the current plans won’t keep heavy saleyards’ traffic out of the centre of town and don’t provide access for all turning movements north and south of the bypass. Council has also raised a number of other concerns that the plans do not include an 80km/h speed limit on the bypass or roundabouts at both ends. Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Wayne Bedggood has urged the community to take interest.
The RMS Scone Bypass proposal if available on the RMS website www.rms.nsw.gov.au. Community drop-in information sessions will also be held at Scone Motor Inn on Thursday January 21 from 10am – 2pm then 3pm – 7pm and Thursday February 4 from 3pm – 7pm.
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The Gum Ball Music and Arts Festival releases its fi rst round line-upReturning in style after a year off, the popular Hunter Valley camping festival has announced the fi rst round of acts for its highly-anticipated return to Dashville on 22-24 April 2016.With what organisers are calling a huge achievement for the long running boutique festival, Australian rock’ n ‘roll royalty, You Am I lead an impressive list of diverse acts coming along to play in 2016.
Knockout soul-rock-powerhouse Dan Sultan will also be there with his band, along with international guitar virtuoso Jeff Lang, Melbourne’s ‘voice of an angel’ Suzannah Espie and Sydney Hip Hop super star Citizen Kay.
Other acts amongst the eclectic list of 13 gearing up to perform at the laidback weekend event include deep-funk instrumental act The Cactus Channel, arguably Australia’s fi nest songwriter Dan Brodie, 9-piece all-brass groove masters Bullhorn, Van Walker’s new supergroup The HeartBrokers, folktronic artist Caitlin Park, live hip hop 7-piece Astro Travellers and dynamic soul-grit-duo Polish Club.
Diverse live music and art has always been a trademark for The Gum Ball and with this fi rst announcement for 2016, it is clear that the family-friendly BYO festival is sticking with the formula.
The fi rst round line-up includes: You Am I, Dan Sultan, Jeff Lang, The Cactus Channel, Van Walker’s HeartBrokers, Citizen Kay, Dan Brodie, Bullhorn, Suzannah Espie, Polish Club, Caitlin Park, Astro Travellers and The Buzzard Mix.
The second round of acts performing will be released on 28th January 2016. For further information visit www.dashville.com.au
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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.
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Get ready for a wild ride at TamworthMore than 15000 people are expected to fl ock to the ABCRA National Rodeo Finals week which kicks off in Tamworth on January 19. ABCRA’s elite competitors qualify for the season fi nale, competing for over $100,000 and championship titles. They are up against some of Australia’s best stock creating action packed entertainment. Enjoy action replays on the big screen, pre-rodeo entertainment and shopping from specialised stores on site. ABCRA Ranch Sorting support event will also form part of this year’s entertainment on Friday January 22, while the campdrafting will take place on Friday the 22nd and Saturday the 23rd of January. Log on to http://www.abcra.com.au/Events/National-Finals/ for more details.
Image: See Australia’s best bucking it out at the ABCRA National Finals Rodeo in Tamworth this month. Photo by French’s Rodeo Photos.
MUSIC ROYALTY: Headliner for the 2016 Gum Ball Music and Arts Festival is rock ‘n’ roll sensation YOU AM I.
