All were a great success and showcased the shire superbly. 

A big good luck too to the committee of the Scone Literary Long Weekend which presents its second festival this weekend with an array of talks, panel discussions and events. 

Some of the highlights include story telling for children at the Scone Library at 10.30am on Saturday morning, the inaugural Patrick White Oration to be given by family matriarch and prolific author Dr Judy White AM and an in-depth chat between our own Mike Pritchard and Nic Brasch who has recently released a stunning book ‘Horses in Australia: An Illustrated History’ which takes us right back to the equine cargo of the First Fleet vessel ‘Lady Penrhyn’, through the first    thoroughbred stallions of the 1790s, the evolution of the stock horse and on to the present day. 

A full list of what’s on can be found on the event website - www.sconewritersfestival.com.au. 

Also this weekend, the Aberdeen Fishing Club hosts the 25th Glenbawn Classic out at Glenbawn Dam. 

The catch and release event promises to be fun for the whole family with a variety of prizes for bass, yellowbelly, silvers and catfish. 

All funds raised goes back into the dam in the form of bass                 fingerlings, you can’t get more sustainable or better than that!  

For details go to www.aberdeenfishingclub.com.au.

Beyond the long weekend, the Rouchel Bushman’s Carnival is fast approaching on October 10 and 11. 

This is a must attend calendar highlight for the local campdrafters, with over 800 competitors regularly attending and competing in the two rings in the most beautiful setting imaginable. 

For further information give Wendy Clydsdale a call on 0427 464 871.

The winner of the Upper Hunter Shire Libraries Member Survey Competition has been chosen and it is Kandice Croser. 

Kandice, a member of the Murrurundi Library, was chosen as the most interesting response out of the 29 entries received for ‘why everyone in the Upper Hunter Shire area should be a library member’. Kandice wrote, very succinctly: “Everyone is a blank canvas until imagination and creativity hits them, people who want to show their colours should find their passion through books/libraries”. 

The prize was $200.

The member’s survey, which collected over 200 responses, is currently being analysed to provide feedback on the services that the five Upper Hunter Shire Libraries provide and give direction for improvements needed. 

A non-members survey drew a further 24 responses giving direction about how the council can promote the library services to non-members.

Upper Hunter Shire households, schools and community groups are invited to join thousands of people across the country on Saturday, October 24 in hosting a garage sale as a part of the fifth annual Garage Sale Trail. 

An award-winning community and sustainability event, Garage Sale Trail is powered by over 150 local councils and is expecting over 10,000 garage sales to be held across the country. 

By organising communities around Australia to hold garage sales on the same day, it aims to reduce waste to landfill and promote reuse.

The Upper Hunter Shire Council is proud to be actively involved in bringing this national initiative to our residents. 

Garage Sale Trail helps people to think creatively about how we can reuse items that might otherwise be put out for waste collection and possibly end up in landfill.

Garage Sale Trail takes place on Saturday, October 24 and all households, local organisations, schools, community groups and charities can register via the website www.garagesale trail.com.au. 

Registration is free and includes a seller webpage that can be personalised by naming the garage sale and listing items that will be for sale on the day. 

There’s also a whole swag of tips and tools available to help sellers promote their sales locally. 

After you have taken part in the Garage Sale Trail on October 24, either give your unsold items away to charities, friends or community members, or leave them out on your footpath for council’s annual Bulk Waste Kerbside Collection the following week – no packing up required.

On the weekend of October 24 and 25 residents can put eligible waste out on the kerbside and it will be collected for free by           council staff during the following week. 

Any waste put out later than 6.30am on Monday, October 26 will not be collected.

Bundles of green waste, broken arm chairs, old carpets and decrepit garden furniture are examples of the sorts of items residents can get rid of during the Bulk Waste Kerbside Collection.

Waste that will not be collected includes objects weighing over 20 kilograms, electronics, recyclables, hazardous materials, car parts and loads larger than a box trailer.  

Stack items neatly next to the kerb, making sure you do not block the footpath or roadway.  

Ensure items are secure and bag or bundle loose items to avoid windblown littering.

I encourage all residents who have kerbside collection to take advantage of this free and easy council service.

The school holidays are nearly over and there has already been a lot of fun had. 

Kids took part in tennis camps, gymnastics, craft activities, teddy bear making, laser tag, a sports fun day, Pony Club camps and the Scone Junior Polo School. 

Although there have been so many activities, there are still a few days left of the holidays and there is still plenty to do in the Upper Hunter Shire.

Today:  

• SOOSH vacation care – sweet treats. There will be plenty of sweet treats to try, even the chocolate game! For more information, or to book phone 6540 1177.

• Murrurundi Library – popstick fun. For more information, or to book phone 6540 1363.

Tomorrow:

• SOOSH vacation care – party, party, party. Bring a plate of party food to share, play games, obstacle course and disco. For more information, or to book phone 6540 1177.

• Merriwa Youth Centre – NRL grand final night. Wear your team colours and come and have a great night with friends. For more information, phone 0447 610 915.

• Murrurundi Youth Centre – board games. For more information, phone 0438 437 082.

• Scone Youth Centre – cooking skills. For more information, phone 0417 287 540.

• Aberdeen Library – making windmills. For more information or to book, phone 6540 1303.

• Scone Library – storytime. For more information, phone 6540 1183.

For more information on any of the above events, please               contact the relevant phone numbers, or visit the council’s website - www.upperhunter. nsw.gov.au and click ‘Our Shire’, ‘Community Newsletters’, ‘What’s On’.

The shire’s most illustrious four legged resident produced her second foal last week, a colt by Sebring who heads a bumper crop of foals being born around the shire. 

That both mum and son are doing well is testament to the skills of the stud workers and in particular the night-watchers. 

While we sleep, these dedicated equine midwives are up keeping a close eye on the foaling mares, recording every detail and assisting where needed. 

They really are the unsung heroines of the industry and it was great to hear local stud master Verna Metcalf singing their collectives praises on the radio last week.

Whatever you’re doing and wherever you’re going, have a great long weekend.