Putty People September 2014

Putty People
The September 2014 newsletter of the Putty Community Association
From the President
GREG PIERCE TURNS 60!
At last we are seeing some action on the roads after
protracted negotiations with Council. Greg Pierce
has commenced scarifying and grading Putty Valley
Road and Council engineers have been seen
scoping out the road for further works.
We have been advised that Council is going to
rectify major drainage problems, gravel the
unsealed sections with the white gravel, and
bitumen seal a section from approximately 860 to
985 where dust presents a health problem for
four houses. The schedule for this work should be
finalised within the next two weeks, and we will
keep you advised on progress.
The electrics to the hall have now been upgraded
and a new commercial dishwasher installed,
which will be a welcome relief for the ladies on
Friday nights! Internal fit out to the store rooms
and General Purpose Room is progressing and a
team is preparing to attack the eastern wall and
install new cladding and insulation – more helpers
needed please.
I would like to thank Dezohn Murley for all the
kitchen equipment she kindly donated. Items
which were not suitable for use at the hall have
found needy homes elsewhere and will be much
appreciated.
The PCA has decided to start a members’ draw at
the Detour every Friday. The draw will start at $20
with $10 being added every week. The names of all
members of the Putty Community Association will
be put into a hat and one name drawn each week at
8.00pm. If the member is present they will receive
the money in the kitty and it will start at $20 the next
week. If the member is not present the kitty will
continue to jackpot at $10 per week. The name of
the member drawn and the value of the draw for the
next week will be announced in our weekly email.
Tim Spooner
President PCA
Diane Pierce organised a surprise birthday
party for Greg’s 60th birthday, which was held
at the local Grey Gum Café with family and
friends, many who travelled long distances to
attend. Fine food from the café and good music
by "Rough Stock" was enjoyed by all.
!
In a speech to the partygoers, Diane said,
”I welcome all our guests here this evening and
thank you for being here to help celebrate
Greg's 60th. I wanted to have his party before
the 22nd to create some sort of surprise.
We are all here because we want you to know
how much we appreciate everything you have
done for us now over the years; you have helped
so many people in so many different ways
I looked up other famous people who were born
in 1954; Jackie Chan, John Travolta, Pia
Zadora, Christy Brinkly and Oprah . . . he’s in
pretty good company, I’d say!”
NEW PCA MEMBERS
Welcome new PCA members, Julie Simons,
Sue Leighton, Sarah Stokes, José and Pilar
Mendoza, Janett Maurice and Michael Allsopp,
!
!
PCA September Newsletter Page 2 of 6
FIREY NEWS
Have you ever wondered who those people are
who contact you and ask for a donation for the
Rural Fire Service? Donations help to fund an
annual grant program run by the Rural Fire
Service Association which this year, awarded
around 1.7 million dollars to enhance the
conditions of rural fire-fighters in New South
Wales. The funding can be used to supply items
such as portable fridges, GPS units and other
items not supplied to brigades by the NSWRFS or
local councils.
Putty Brigade was successful in its 2014
application and received funding of $5,500 which
has been allocated by the RFSA to purchase a
water tank and necessary accessories.
Negotiations are underway with Singleton Council
and the RFS Hunter Valley team to assist Putty
Brigade in having a water bore drilled on site
which will provide a reliable and readily available
water supply to the tank and subsequently to all
fire fighting vehicles working in the Putty area.
During the last fire season, many people made
generous donations directly to our brigade and the
majority of those funds will go towards the expenses
involved with the drilling of the water bore.
If you are a NSWRFS member but not a member
of the RFSA and want to know more about it or
would like to join the Association, please get in
touch with me on 6579 7077.
Margaret Ferguson
Secretary RFS
!
QUOLLS HAVE BEEN SIGHTED IN PUTTY
These beautiful nocturnal carnivorous marsupials
have been spotted enjoying our Putty hospitality.
They live in the hollows of trees, have a liking for
chooks as well as creating havoc with garbage.
Their very sharp teeth don’t make them very
approachable. Not patting animals!
BUSH FIRE DANGER PERIOD (BFDP)
This begins on 1st September and continues
through until 31st March each year. During this
period you will require a Permit to Burn. A small
camp fire or a lighting a spark arresting
incinerator is allowed without a permit but both
must be attended for the duration of the fire.
However, like any other type of fire, neither of
these are permitted during a Total Fire Ban.
Along with the Permit to Burn, when carrying out
a Hazard
Reduction burn or
a Pile Burn,
containment lines
must be put in
prior to lighting up.
You must not allow
your fire to escape
your property.
Piles should be several small ones rather than
one large one. With either type, you are required
to notify your neighbours, which include NPWS
and Forestry and your local brigade and Fire
Control on 65745186.
To obtain a Permit, contact either Greg Pierce on
65797037, Tim Spooner on 65797047 or Scott
Ferguson on 0419 689 466. Conditions imposed
by the NSWRFS will be explained to you at the
time.
Go to the following website and open “Before You
Light That Fire” and “Can I or Cant I” on the page.
http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/BFDP
Margaret Ferguson
Secretary RFS
!
PCA September Newsletter Page 3 of 6
MEET YOUR OLD AND NEW NEIGHBOURS
A “Meet your old and new neighbours” night held at the Putty Hall for
landholders relatively new to the Valley to meet other Putty folk and to exchange stories and learn
about the area.
They were welcomed by the PCA President, Tim
Spooner and enjoyed a free sausage sizzle as
well as the usual delicious Putty Hall cuisine.
Representatives from the Putty Fire Brigade,
Three Valleys Landcare Group, Hunter Farm
Forestry Network, Community First Responders
and Putty Community Association were on hand
to give information and answer the many
questions. It was a highly successful evening.
!
!
DUCK EGG PRODUCING FACTORY IN HOWES VALLEY!
On 18th August, Singleton Shire Council approved an application for a designated industrial
complex, a duck egg producing factory in the rural area of Howes Valley. The complex will house
22,000 ducks in twelve huge galvanised sheds on a plateau area above the nearby Macdonald
River.
More than a thousand objections to this application have been sent to Council since 2008. The
objectors had fears about dust, smell, possible pollution to nearby water catchments, increased
truck movements on Putty Road, as well as possible outbreak of the contagious Newcastle
disease and airborne HINI virus deadly to humans.
The Council’s short notice to objectors was a letter written on 11th for a meeting on the 18th
August. The result was that the application went through with 47 conditions which must be
addressed. Because of the remoteness of the site at 5756 Putty Road, 55 kms from Singleton,
residents fear that these conditions will be not adhered to.
SULKY RIDE THROUGH THE
PUTTY VALLEY
The Hunter and Hills Harness Clubs
provided local entertainment when they
visited with their sulkies, driving along the
Putty Valley and Box Gap Roads on the
2nd to the 4th September.
Locals enjoyed the carriage ride through
their valley.
PCA September Newsletter Page 4 of 6
140 YEARS CELEBRATION OF THE OPENING OF WINDSOR BRIDGE
The re-enactment of this historic occasion involved a colourful procession led
by a lone piper, Mayor Michael McQuade and the Lady Mayoress in a horse
drawn carriage. The parade included the
Hawkesbury District Band, vintage cars and
several hundred locals in period costume.
A band of pirates held the Mayor to ransom, raising
much needed funds for the ongoing campaign to
save the bridge.
Announced by Sydney City Town Crier Graham
Keating, Mayor McQuade repeated the address of
140 years ago before cutting the ceremonial
ribbon. At Thompson Square they were addressed
by Darug Elder, Uncle George Simms as well as
Gemma Carter representing the younger members
of the local indigenous community.
!
Kate Mackaness wished the bridge “Many happy
returns of the day,” in the hope she
may survive her planned
demolition, and continue to serve
the community for light and local
traffic (along with a bypass) for
many generations to come.
Congratulations must go to
CAWB and especially Eve Foster
for organising such a fabulous day.’
FRIENDS OF THE COLO’s ANNUAL VISIT TO PUTTY
The Friends of the Colo, joined by other enthusiasts, come to Putty
one weekend a year to search and destroy the noxious weed,
privet which grows along the Putty
Creek. Privet outcompetes native
vegetation as well as being able to
germinate in the shade.
The group were first alerted to the privet
problem by Landcare Group President
and Public Officer, Carol Gibson and the
enthusiasts have just spent a weekend searching and treating the weeds
along the creek. They mingled with the locals at the Detour on Friday night
and on Saturday night held a BBQ on Carol’s property, where they also
camped. The Putty Creek is looking pretty good at the moment, thanks to their
enthusiastic efforts.
FREE COMPOST BINS!
Singleton Council is offering free
compost bins for making compost
at home. !
It is an initiative to try and reduce
landfill and are available to all rate
payers.!
PCA September Newsletter Page 5 of 6
UPCOMING EVENTS!
NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE AWARDS
Sunday 21 September at 11am
The NSW Rural Fire Service awards will recognise
Putty Brigade volunteers who have actively
participated in brigade activities for more than ten
years. The ceremony, which will be held at the
Putty Rural Fire Brigade Station, will be followed by
a BBQ as a thank you to all Putty fireys.
For catering purposes, please let Margaret know if
you plan to attend. 6579 7077, 0427 282 246 or
email: [email protected]
FRIDAY NIGHT DETOUR
Every Friday 5 - 9pm at the Putty Hall
Detour to the hall on your way home. Come
along for a drink, a snack and chat.
The standard menu includes steak
sandwiches, marinated barbecue chicken
sandwiches, salad, pies and toasties.
Specials are announced by email. If you are bringing a
large group please contact Kathy on 6579 7047 to assist
with catering preparations.
MELBOURNE CUP TUESDAY 4 NOV
Enjoy lunch and watching Melbourne Cup at
The Top Place. Contact Kathy on 6579 7047.
HALLOWEEN PARTY AT PUTTY HALL
SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER
!
PUTTY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Sunday 7 December at 6pm the Christmas
party will kick off with the arrival of Santa, followed by
carols, a kids’ disco, a Christmas raffle draw and fun.
Donations of Raffle prizes will be gratefully received.
WORKING BEES
Working Bees Every Saturday 9am - 1pm
Unless notified - check your email.
The work for this month is to re-clad the eastern wall of
the hall and to fit out the kitchen store and bar area. We
will also continue wall cladding, trims, painting and
finishing.
!
PRAYERS AND BIBLE STUDIES
Our Lady of the Valley services for 2014 will be held at
Putty Hall, with resident Anglican Priest, Fr. Max.
!
2nd Sunday of the Month:
Eucharist at 8:30am, Prayer and Bible Study 9:30am,
Sunday School 11am.
4th Sunday of the Month
Eucharist at 9am and Sunday School at 11am.
PCA September Newsletter Page 6 of 6
PUTTY PEOPLE ADVERTISING
PUTTY WEATHER
The PCA does not endorse or recommend
SOUTH
FAIRVIEW
NORTH
August 2014
78.60mm
65.25mm
70.00mm
August 2013
8.80mm
10.00mm
7.50mm
Aug 2014 av
39.09mm
30.20mm
2014 year to date
2014 year to date
2013 year to date
2014 year to date av
10 year to date av
!
Fairview
South
Fairview
South
Fairview
!
If it rains at Putty, residents are encouraged
to post their rainfall on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/
PuttyCommunityAssociation so weekenders
will know if they need to water their gardens.
PUTTY WEBSITE
Putty Valley Online contains many interesting
links including:
!
•
Trades & Services Directory at
www.putty.nsw.au/whereis
•
Weekly cattle sale prices from the
Meat and Livestock Authority (MLA)
at www.putty.nsw.au/rural/cattlehotline
•
Munro’s Meats
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
489.35mm
553.60mm
611.25mm
504.85mm
510.70mm
Recordings were taken at Fairview, Putty,
with Reference to the Bureau of Meteorology
www.bom.gov.au.
Recordings were also taken at Mellong Grove,
Putty Road (south) and The Top Place, Putty
Valley Road, to the north.
!
!
any of the advertised products or
services.
!
PCA FACEBOOK
For news as it happens. If you haven’t
already signed up to our Facebook page, you
can do so by clicking Like at:
https://www.facebook.com/
PuttyCommunityAssociation
Post your pictures and stories!
Fresh Food winner of the Australian
Small Business Champion Awards 2013.
Royal Easter Show award winning ham.
King Road, Wilberforce Shopping
Centre
Ph: 4575 1961
MOWERS SALES AND SERVICE
Fitzgerald Motors
Sales and service of mowers, ride-on
mowers, chainsaws, trimmers,
mulchers, water pumps, generators,
posthole diggers, sprayers etc
9 Fitzgerald Street, Windsor
Ph: 4577 3401
www.fitzgeraldmotors.com.au
Shod by Sheila
Horse shoeing and trimming
Ph: 0421 867 775
LEC AIR & ELECTRICAL
Aircon, refrigeration, electrician, heat
transfer kits. Lic: 167542C Ph: Matt Ward 0413 850 298
House Cleaning
Local references available
Message or text Michelle
0457 275 135
NEWSLETTER CONTACT
Please call with any news, activities or
photographs to include in our
monthly newsletter.
Martha Babineau, phone 6579 7000
[email protected]