ISSUE BRANXTON GRETA VINEYARDS 510 Keep your thebranxtonnews.com.au/ business in town and you keep your town in business!!!! ...for your enjoyment Serving the local community since 1997 All the local WEDNESDAY news since 1997 M: 0414 757 826 “Your paper of choice” 13 NOVEMBER 2019 Page 4 Page 6 Page 19 Page 21 STEVE’S Members WellWell DoneDone School NotNot SoSo WellWell say... NEWS DoneDone Successful Greta Army and Migrant Camp Anniversaries weekend Hot weather, gusty winds & dusty conditions did 8000 people & with the ethnic performances, live bands, little to deter attendees to the last weekends re-enactments & aerial displays it was, in his words, anniversary celebrations for the 80th anniversary of “amazing”. the establishment of the Greta Army Camp (in 1939) He also said that without the military aspect there would and the 70th Anniversary of the site becoming a not have been a Migrant Camp. migrant camp. “It’s important to acknowledge that one flowed to the other,” he said. The official opening on Saturday at 9:30am saw a large Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon has congratulated all contingent of ex-servicemen, serving defence force those who worked so hard to ensure the Greta Army and personnel, marching bands, official guests & a Migrant Camp Anniversaries were celebrated in an healthy number of local residents & swathe of families appropriate way. & individuals who had a direct connection to the “The anniversary event was appropriate recognition of the migrant camp, in attendance. significance of two very important Commonwealth The Governor-General spoke of the significance of both Government decisions seventy and eighty years ago,” he the usages the area had pre-WW11 and post-WW11 & said. the benefits that the immigration program had for our “The fact that the Governor General, so many local country & how fortunate we are to have had it. elected representatives, and so many people from around After the official opening the Governor-General & Mrs Australia have joined us demonstrates both the Hurley attended a morning tea with some 100 guests. significance of the Anniversaries and how widely their After the morning tea The Governor-General & Mrs importance is understood”. Hurley informally wondered the grounds talking to Mr Fitzgibbon said that when he and Member for attendees & inspecting the static displays. Paterson Meryl Swanson moved their motion in the The President of the Central Hunter Business Chamber, Parliament last year calling upon the Federal Government Mr. Brett Wild, said that the 2-day event attracted over to ensure the Anniversaries were appropriately celebrated, they could not have hoped for more. “It’s fair to say Meryl and I are not disappointed but most the credit goes to the Central Hunter Business Chamber, Cessnock Council, other sponsors, and the many people and service organisations who have worked so hard to make it ͽ His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor-General of the such a great success”. Commonwealth of Australia giving the opening address for the Anniversary Celebrations at Greta Army/ Immigration Camp last Saturday. CONT NEXT PAGE With every dog boarding booking over 5 days your pet will receive a free dog wash & every Cat will receive a free cat toy* *Conditions apply, EXCLUDES SCHOOL HOLIDAYS – valid until the 31 August 2019, ex members of the Defence Force receive a 10% discount over the same period. ABN 85 542 243 982 Cat & dog The Hunter’s ONLY fully accredited boarding facility 169 Springvale Road, Elderslie NSW 2335 P 02 4938 3710 boarding E [email protected] W www.hunterpetmotel.com.au THE NEWS | No. 510 | Wednesday 13 NOV 2019 ͽ 2 FROM FRONT PAGE Successful Greta Army and Migrant Camp Nominations now open for the 2020 Australia Day Awards Anniversaries weekend ….. State Member for Nominations are now open for Reception held on Australia making Singleton a better Twilight return for a second Cessnock, Clayton the 2020 Australia Day Day. More details about the place for all of us. year, with loads of family Barr MP, who gave Awards and Cessnock City event will be released closer “We’re seeking nominations friendly entertainment the closing address Council is calling on the to the date. from across our local planned at the Civic Green on Sunday, said that community to nominate locals The call has also gone out for government area for everyday from 6pm to 10pm on the on the 9 and 10th who deserve to be recognised. Singleton residents to put people who are great at what evening of the 25th,” he said. November at a small There are a number of award forward the names of fellow they do, contribute to our “But the highlight of the country town called categories to choose from deserving locals, with community and inspire those weekend is always the official Greta was a including Citizen of the Year, nominations now open for the around them. They could be proceedings on Australia Day celebration that Senior Citizen of the Year, 2020 Citizen of the Year and quiet achievers, leaders in itself, when we welcome new reminded us of our Young Citizen of the Year, Young Achiever of the Year. their field of work, or Australian citizens, hear from past and potentially Marie Callaghan Young For a second year, Singleton unknown heroes. our Australia Day guest and our future. Female Achiever, Community will celebrate Australia Day “We are fortunate to have so announce Singleton’s Citizen “At the end of the Event, Sport, Environment, with sunset community event many people who volunteer of the Year and Young war again Greta was Heritage, along with Twilight on Saturday 25 for a range of causes and a Achiever of the Year. tasked once more – Achievement and January 2020 on the Civic range of reasons, as well as “It’s the day we recognise the now to train the Appreciation awards. Green, leading into the incredible young people who doers who make our BCOF – British Cessnock City Mayor, official proceedings on are wonderful ambassadors community better, and cele- Commonwealth Councillor Bob Pynsent looks Sunday 26 January 2020 with for Singleton. brate what makes Singleton Occupation Forces of forward to the Australia Day a Citizenship Ceremony and “2020 is an important year in the best place to live, work the Japan, the Awards every year and is the presentation of the Citizen the history of our town — the and visit.” military garrison that encouraging residents to of the Year and Young bicentennial may mark the The Citizen of the Year was to serve under nominate people who deserve Achiever of the Year awards anniversary of European Award is presented to the General Douglas recognition for their at the Civic Centre. settlement, but it’s also an citizen judged to have made MacArthur,” he said. contribution to our Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue opportunity to acknowledge the most outstanding “If it was not for a community. Moore said Australia Day was the richness of our commu- contribution to the Singleton sole voice in Brett “This is a wonderful an important occasion for nity spirit and I can’t think of Local Government Area for Wild the weekend opportunity to acknowledge Singleton, and next year a better way than our annual the period including but not celebrations would not have been possible. Brett has brought those who those in our community who would be extra special with Australia Day awards. limited to 2019 and must be the site has touched together on a journey and pilgrimage that has life give up their own time and the town commemorating its “It only takes one nomination 26 years or older on 26 long lasting memories, a group of we owe a debt of thanks to,” said dedicate themselves to Bicentenary. for someone to be in the January 2020. Clayton. making our community a With nominations open until running for the Awards, but a The Young Achiever of the Clayton also thanked all the volunteers who helped to make the better place to live and work.” Friday 29 November 2019, nomination must be formally Year is presented to the young anniversary weekend such a success. “Our 2019 Australia Day she is encouraging anyone submitted. Head to Council’s achiever judged to have made More photos page 9. Awards saw some outstanding who knows someone who has website and submit your the most outstanding people in our community made a significant nomination online.” contribution to the Singleton ● Photo above: The Governor General being introduced to Kaylem Rouse who was recognised, including Olivia contribution to our Singleton Australia Day Local Government Area for representing the Branxton Greta Little Athletics Club Palfreyman who was the first community to nominate them. Committee chairperson, Cr the period including but not person to receive the Marie “It’s hard to believe it’s that Danny Thompson said he was limited to 2019 and must be Callaghan Young Female time of year again when we looking forward to plenty of aged 16 to 26 years of age on Can you hear those sleigh bells jingling? Achiever Award,” added Cr take the time to consider the nominations – as well as 26 January 2020. Pynsent. people we know who make a plenty of people coming out Carols in the Park 2019 Nominations must be significant contribution to our to celebrate. All residents of the Singleton Cessnock City Council’s Carols in the Park 2019 is set to go off with a bang submitted by Friday 6 community for no other “Australia Day is a really local government area are on Friday 6 December 2019 at Cessnock Sports Ground from 6pm. December 2019.