Hello and Welcome to Your February Edition of The Valley Hub News.

It has been a beautiful balmy February in the Nambucca Valley! We have a jam packed Newsletter for you this month!

From Country

Mujaay Ganma host - JULUMBAWAMBI Event

 

It was a lovely gathering for the Julumbawambi Event held by Mujaay Ganma.

They would like to thank all who came along to join in on this special event.

The day was filled with stories and conversations with our Elders and other generations too. Then came to a completion with some amazing cultural songs.

Mujaay Ganma is planning on hosting another gathering for Julumbawambi soon. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on the website and Social media pages.

https://www.instagram.com/mujaay.ganma/

 

 

JAANYMILI BAWRRUNGGA  

Jaanymili Bawrrungga also known as JB is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation based in Bowraville. JB delivers multiple workshops, projects, and programs with the Bowraville Community and within the Nambucca LGA including:

  • Youth programs from the Bowraville Youth Hub with Coordinator Laura Graham.
  • Youth Hub run playgroup and Nyami Gawbarrigam (women’s group).
  • Cultural Burns Project.
  • Counsellor on site Monday and Tuesday weekly including:
    *Work development orders
    * Victims of Crime Counselling
  • TEI (Targeted Early Intervention) program including:
    *Bowraville Student Support Program
    *Facilitated Playgroup at Bowraville Community Preschool
    *Annual Youth Event

https://www.instagram.com/jb_bowraville/

Valley Feature

MARY BOULTON'S PIONEER COTTAGE AND MUSEUM- A local ICON

The Valley Hub caught up with Mary Boulton’s Pioneer Cottage and Museum.

How long has Mary Boulton’s Cottage been in Macksville

The cottage opened on the 4th of April 1970 with great success. The Macksville Pony Club had pony rides; there were 2 sulkies and a vintage car giving rides, shingle splitting demonstrations, and tea and damper was served. The cost of entry was 20 cents per person.

What is the history behind Mary Boulton’s Pioneer Cottage and Museum?

In 1968, inspired by seeing similar sites on her visits through the USA, Mary began building the Pioneer Cottage next to her home in River Street, Macksville.

Rebuilt from remains of two early settler homes – one from Macksville and the other from Allgomera. The 3 rooms are fully furnished with period furniture and artifacts – a bedroom, a fully functional kitchen, and an enclosed rear veranda where the children would have slept (complete with newspapers glued to the walls to prevent wind draughts).

The cottage is standing on the original land package which was selected by her grandfather, Thomas Boulton in 1899.

Many local people assisted Mary in the operation of the business leading to the establishment of The Macksville & District History Group.

In 1999, aged 85, Mary sold/donated the Cottage & Museum complex to the (then) Nambucca Shire Council to preserve her legacy for the benefit of the people.

Tell us about what you can find at Mary Boulton’s Pioneer Cottage and Museum?

Aside from the cottage, there is a huge collection of artifacts held in various areas in 7 other buildings.

The Wash House

Displays here show the movement from timber wash tubs to concrete tubs, coppers, and early hand-operated washing machines. The Mangle is from an early Macksville Hospital. Laundry pegs, packets of starch and the very useful Blue Bags are also of interest.

The Industry Shed

On display are tools, machinery, items, and photographs of various industries of the district, including timber, horticulture, agriculture, animal husbandry such as beef and dairy, fishing, bananas, railways, and retail stores.

The Cream Shed

A small creamery displaying old butter churns, milk separators, butter boxes, and milk and cream bottles. Dairying in the Nambucca Valley began in the 1860’s. For the next 100 years almost every farm milked cows for milk, butter, and cheese. These were abundant in the valley. The Cream Shed in relocated from the farm of Richard Dangar Bond at Grays Crossing (Taylors Arm).

The Gaol Cell

This type of portable lock-up was used throughout New South Wales and shows how lawbreakers were confined in earlier times. This cell was originally located in western NSW and was relocated to Nambucca Heads in 1960 and then on to Macksville Police Station. When it was no longer required it was donated to the museum.

The Barn

A slab building was relocated from the Lower Macleay area. Displays include a range of horse-drawn vehicles and equipment including the buggy that belonged to Colonel Spalding (a local historical figure). There are hand-made avatars of people and horses, these help make up the displays, which were made by a granddaughter of the Colonel.

The Bark Hut

In the early 1830’s, the hunt for Red Cedar was the prime reason European and Asiatic men and women came to the Nambucca Valley. Initially, huts like this were built by cedar getters using only what they could find in the scrub. Constant repair to the hut is ongoing with bark becoming very difficult to obtain from forestry activities. due to environmental laws.

The Ellen Partridge Annexe

This building is named in honour of Ellen, a long-time friend of Mary and avid volunteer at the museum. This building contains an amazing array of artifacts including household equipment and items, clothing, children’s toys, books and playthings, medical equipment and supplies, telephones, musical equipment (including old organs), and sewing machines.

The Brunsdon Research Room

Found within the Annexe is the newest addition to the museum. Built with the assistance of grant funding and money raised by museum volunteers this addition is currently being furnished with artifact collections of textiles, newspapers, books, maps, and photographs. It provides a space for the public and staff to research the available information held at the museum. We also provide Family Research and we have a dedicated researcher who can assist with local family history.

The Gardens and Grounds

The garden was important to pioneers for vegetables, fruit, shade and also flowers. Originally all the flower beds were edged by upturned bottles and these can be seen around the cottage garden. The museum volunteers are regularly assisted by the Nambucca Valley Garden club, and the gardens are currently undergoing some improvements.

The Grounds are available for hire for weddings, naming and special days and as an outing place for clubs and organisations.

 

Who looks after and runs the Mary Boulton’s Pioneer Cottage and Museum? – The Museum is owned by the Nambucca Valley Council and is managed by Volunteers of the Mary Boulton Pioneer Cottage and Museum Committee of Management. This is under Section 355 of the N.S.W. Local Government Act.

The volunteers are not paid and the Museum receives minimal financial assistance from council, however receives significant support from council in the areas of grant procurements and legislative requirements.

The volunteers are responsible for raising funds for day-to-day operations of the Museum, including staffing on open days, maintenance and preservation of the collection of artefacts, maintaining and complying with the conventions of NSW Museums and Galleries, maintenance of buildings and ground, payment of accounts, assisting with coach tours and visitors, research for family histories, the list is endless as is the need to recruit new volunteers. We currently have 17 members with only about 2-5 available at any one time.

What is happening in 2024 for  The Mary Boulton’s Pioneer Cottage and Museum? –This year sees new challenges for the volunteers of the Museum, we have some older volunteers that have reduced their commitment and younger members have moved on to new and more exciting things.

Recruitment – is vital to keep the museum running.

Increasing public awareness – Finding space in places like The Hub, sourcing grants to assist with signage around the local area, increasing social media variety and presence. We now have a dedicated Publicity Officer.

Visitation – Much of the income of the museum comes from visiting coach tours, which have been down in numbers since the Covid debacle. We have been working hard to attract coach tour operators local, state and interstate to add us to their visitation list. This coming year is starting off well, with 10 coach tours booked in already for the first half of this year (approx. 300-400 people). We supply morning teas to some of these groups (all home-made and baked), so our small numbers of volunteers are going to be very busy at times.

Grants – There are several grant opportunities through Museums and Galleries of NSW this year. We are in the process of updating some of our displays in the Industry Shed, with plans for interpretive panels in other museum areas and grant funding will allow us to complete these.

Gardens and Grounds – Rejuvenating several areas of the gardens including planting, replanting and general maintenance. The gardens take up quite a bit of area and are in constant need of attention.

Maintenance – There is always things to be fixed around the museum and this year will be no different. The Shakes (shingle looking tiles) that form the cottage roof are in desperate need of replacement (which should happen every 20 or so years) and we are looking into the logistics of this. Luckily Council is amenable to proving some assistance in this area, if we come up with the dollars.

Fund Raising – Each year we try to hold some events that attract a good crowd to raise money and gain donations. This year will see our History week in September which will include our Spring Fashion Parade, we have monthly gatherings called Golden Oldies and it is hoped that some of our volunteers will be able to organise regular book swap days and produce swap days, which are always a bit of fun, we also have started High Tea afternoons.

With all this going on this year at the museum and running our day to day lives with work and family, our volunteers are an amazing bunch of people. So it is hopeful that we may find a few extra committed and interested members to help out around the museum from time to time.

Our stories

VALLEY VIEW ESCAPES - A piece of paradise in Bowraville

Take a step away from the busy day to day and escape to Valley View Escape in Bowraville.

 

Valley View Escape is a 600 acre working dairy farm located in the beautiful Nambucca Valley just 25 minutes off the highway. With stunning 360 views of mountain ranges, there is also access to Lake Lumby from all their glorious camping sites. Valley View Escapes has available:

  • 4 powered sites and
  • 4 unpowered sites

All of which are level-grounded and grassed. It is accessible by 2WD. There is non-potable water available at the site. The powered sites are conveniently located close to the amenities with flushing toilets, hot showers, and a dump point. Each site has a fire pit, with the option of using your own fire pit as long as it is not directly on the ground.

Firewood is available for purchase which can be done through the booking website – HipCamp at checkout or you can pay cash on arrival.

Valley View Escape is a pet-friendly campsite – pets are to be kept on a leash and owners are always to have full control.

You can sit and relax at the communal picnic area with fire pit, shade, picnic table and pontoon on Lake Lumby. The Lake is fabulous for kayaking and swimming.

You can keep up with all that is happening including discount codes and updates by following Valley View Escapes.

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/valleyviewescape

Love your local

Nambucca Valley Circles for Girls

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Nambucca Valley Circles for Girls are looking for expressions of interest for Term 2 Enrolments in the Macksville and Nambucca Heads area.
Circles for Girls is a place for tweens to share, be heard, mentored & celebrated as they walk towards young womanhood.
The eight-week program includes:
🌸8 x 2 hour conversational circles lead by an experienced youth mentor/facilitator
🌸Quality art & craft materials with jewelry and art to take home each week. Plus a couple of extra goodies.
🌸A wholesome and yummy afternoon tea each week
🌸1 nourishing Mums’ Circle
🌸1 Dads’ Supporting Daughters Evening during the 8-week program
If you would like to know more, send a message or email Greta at  circlesforgirlsnambuccavalley@gmail.com 
NAMBUCCA RIVER PUBLIC ART TRAIL 
The new Nambucca River Public Art Trail is coming to life in full colour with the latest artworks installed last week by local Gumbaynggirr artist Yowa Art!
These five funky characters inspired by local bird and marine life were designed by Yowa Art and created in collaboration with Ben Taranto from Fyreside Arts.
Head to the Nambucca River Foreshore to discover a range of exciting new public art and sculpture as part of the Nambucca River Public Art Trail coordinated by Nambucca Valley Council and local artist Nick Warfield.
The initiative is part of Nambucca Valley Council’s ongoing efforts to enrich public spaces, supported by generous funding to the Nambucca River Foreshore Walk and Cultural Way Improvements Program in Stage Two of the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
Spotlight on

NOURISH CAFE AND GROCER - VALLA

NOURISH CAFE AND GROCER - VALLA

 EAT – Fresh and Seasonal Food

Our menu is sourced with fresh and seasonal ingredients from local farms. From breakfast to dinner, they have a variety of options for you to choose from.

DRINK – Satisfy your Caffeine Cravings 

We take pride in brewing the freshest and tastiest coffee in town. Our baristas are trained to make the perfect cup of coffee just for you.

ENJOY- Relax and Unwind

With a cozy and inviting atmosphere, Nourish Cafe and Grocer is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a delicious meal or a cup of coffee. Bring a book or meet up with friends.

Open Monday- Thursday 7am-5pm

Friday and Saturday 7am-8pm

Sunday 7am-3pm

https://www.thenourishcafe.com.au

 

 

THE COMMUNITY CELEBRATEs THE MACKSVILLE MARLINS SUPER COACH – RENEE PICKVANCE. 

A very big CONGRATULATIONS to all of the swimmers from the Macksville Marlins who traveled to Sydney to attend NSW Country Championships 🏊🏼‍♀️🏊🏼‍♀️ .

The crew took home Gold- Silver- Bronze and achieved Personal best times!!! There was a silent hero behind this wonderful achievement…

The community takes its hat off to the Macksville Marlins coach Renee Pickvance. Renee has been training these swimmers for many months in preparation for the Country Championships.

Renee spent two and a half VERY LONG days down on the pool deck warming the swimmers up, watching their races, celebrating their successes, and counseling any disappointments. She is an absolute LEGEND!

THE VALLEY HUB HOSTS SOCIAL MEDIA BOOTCAMP AT THE BOWRAVILLE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE

As a part of The Valley Hub’s Business and Organisation Training Sector our Business Manager Tamara conducted four, two-hour sessions over a two-day period of Social Media training at the Bowraville Technology Centre in Bowraville. This initiative was a part of the FRRR Publisher Program through the Valla Beach Community Association. It was a great opportunity to teach members of the Not for Profit Sector in the Nambucca Valley about the value of social marketing and how it benefits not only the business sector, but also the Not For Profit Sector as well.

The workshops explored the trends of both Facebook and Instagram with the participants learning:

  • How to set up a social media account
  • How to manage settings including privacy and page administrations
  • Understanding statistics and insight overviews
  • Post planning
  • Personal accounts v’s Meta business accounts
  • Likes, Follows and Friends
  • Advertising
  • Content Creation and much more….

It was a wonderful space to hold these informative workshops. A big thank you to The Bowraville Technology Centre for hosting us. If you are interested in having The Valley Hub Host a social media workshop for your Business or Not For Profit Organisation, get in contact with us by emailing info@thevalleyhub.com.au

 

Inside knowledge

BECOME A MEMBER OF THEY VALLEY HUB

The Valley Hub are excited to offer Businesses and Not For Profit Organisations access to a strong social media platform that celebrates the Nambucca Valley and a website with a ‘What’s Happening’ calendar, Monthly Newsletter and Business/Community Directory through our memberships. We pride ourselves in bringing The Valley Hub Podcast to the Nambucca Valley and making it accessible to all members. We are currently putting together The Valley Hub Magazine that will be released seasonally in print and E-form, celebrating all the Nambucca Valley has to offer.

As a member you will receive: 

  • 5 free ads on social media.
  • 12 months free access to the events calendar
  • 10 percent discount on all advertising in The Valley Hub magazine.
  • Free listing on The Valley Hub Website.
  • Access to all tools and educational material on The Valley Hub Website.

Did you know you can add your event to our What’s On calendar?

https://www.thevalleyhub.com.au/request-to-add-event/

What's on in the Valley

Events Coming in March 2024

Feb 2024: Highlight events

EMPLOYMENT in the NAMBUCCA VALLEY  

 

Let the games begin

THE VALLEY HUB MONTHLY TRIVIA QUEST

The answers will be shared next month – let us know how you fared.

FEBRUARY QUESTIONS

1. What are the major inland river systems in NSW?

2. What are the major Coastal river systems in NSW?

3. What is the longest waterway in Australia?

4. What is the inland river system called in NSW?

5. What is the largest river by volume in Australia?

6. Which is the most important river in Australia?

7. What river is between NSW and Qld?

Valley publications

Stay in touch with other Valley publications available.

The Valley Hub acknowledges Gumbaynggirr country, the Ancestors, Elders and Traditional Custodians of the Valley in which we live and work. We thank them for their care of country through time and acknowledge and respect their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

Skip to content