…Not that it should have been in there in the first place. For a team to work well, it has to be a t-e-a-m, not a te-i-am. When two t-e-a-ms join forces for the common good of all, a lot can happen, and that’s what the residents of our little piece of paradise are in for in 2023.
Let’s go back a step.
Mountain View Retirement Village is a Strata Scheme, which means we come under the guidelines of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (SSMA2015). Because we are a Strata Scheme, we have to have a Strata Committee to represent owners in decision making on anything to do with common property and financial decisions. It’s a bit complicated and I won’t bore you with the details, but since 2015 some units are Leasehold, which is a slightly different kind of ownership. We still come under the SSMA2015 legislation, but we need to take into account our Leasehold owners and make sure they are represented in all matters as well.
After a bit of a shaky start, we have recently formed a Residents Committee that works closely with the Strata Committee. Our goal is to make our village the best it can be, and if a recent meeting is anything to go by, we’re on the right track. The two committees held their first combined meeting to work on a project that will benefit all residents.
Because this is a retirement village, it isn’t easy to get people to step up to be on a committee, and that’s a good thing because we’re retired, right? But someone has to do it, so it’s great that we have a dedicated team of residents who are willing to get involved. And that’s why we try to keep it as low-key as possible. Dare I say, we even have fun in the process – okay – maybe not so much on the Strata Committee because that’s the serious side of the business, but definitely on the Residents Committee. I don’t think there’s ever been a (new) Residents Committee meeting that hasn’t culminated in lunch at a local restaurant, and that is always heaps of fun.
So, whoever took the ‘i’ out of ‘te-i-am’, we thank you. Our t-e-a-m (both committees) is working beautifully to make this fantastic place even better.
Watch this space for updates on what the two committees (t-e-a-ms) are up to at Mountain View!
As 2020 starts its descent over the horizon, we look back and think ‘What the ‘beep’ just happened?’.
Wasn’t it only yesterday I was wishing everyone a Happy New Year, saying that 2020 was going to be the best year ever?! Well, we all know how that ended.
Or did it?
This year changed a lot of things, but I think it actually brought us all closer together – not physically, because we still can’t do that if we are observing appropriate social distancing, but emotionally closer.
Social isolation was hard, but the community spirit here at Mountain View got us through it. Through our Facebook Page (Mountain View Murwillumbah), we were able to help our neighbours find resources they needed to ride out the isolation. We found wool, books, DVDs and a whole heap of other stuff that helped fill the hours of those stuck at home.
Teamwork!
And through the Craft Shop, Coral and Christine worked tirelessly to keep grocery supplies on the shelves. The community spirit grew stronger during the worst year imaginable.
2020 will be written into the new history books, and as participants, we were all part of making that history. Future generations will read about how we survived the pandemic by staying at home, constantly washing our hands, and wearing masks if we had to venture out of our safe havens. And signing into venues is probably going to be part of our new normal.
Tonight we celebrated the end of the year that was, and it was one of the best events I’ve attended in my five years of living in this fantastic community. It’s hard to describe but there was an overwhelming feeling of peace and harmony. It was an amazing night. It might not have been the most attended event of the year, but it was the spirit of the people who attended that made the night so spectacular.
In less than an hour we will welcome in the New Year, having said goodbye to 2020 forever.
May 2021 bring us more of the events we shared tonight, and may we continue to look out for each other through the coming year.
With the success of the recent Plant Market, Coral and Christine followed up with a Christmas Market at Mountain View.
Things were a bit ‘Frosty’ during set-up, but Jerry, Neila and Coral sorted it out. With Frosty’s help they set up the tables and moved bucket-loads of plants in, ready to sell.
Our crew are a talented lot, so they needed a lot of tables.
And on the day, all the work in setting up the room paid off.
Mountain View Talent
Susan always does a great job selling raffle tickets but this year she has an additional job – making sure we all sign in. Ah, how COVID has changed things.
Bev was busy on her stall of quirky things – everything from scrunchies to socks.
Ivy and Susan admired the shrug Wendy bought for her granddaughter (beautifully hand-made by Helen).
Malcolm knows all about frames and framing.
Our very talented resident, Jack, creates beautiful artwork.
Helen was kept busy selling baked goods and plants.
Helen is always ready to lend a hand whenever anything is happening in the village – well – unless there is football on at the same time.
When the Geelong Cats are playing, you’ll find Helen tucked up in front of the TV watching them play.
Helen and her daughter…
Our new resident, Helen, with the fabulous crocheted and knitted items she has made.
Julia sold out of quilts pretty fast, and lots of lucky people will be getting beautiful quilts this Christmas. Caz and Christine took a break to admire the beautiful quilts and crocheted rugs made by Julia.
Margaret took care of the gift wrapping, and Bev rewarded her with a well-earned shoulder massage.
The Coral and Christine Team did it again!
A huge thank you to Coral and Christine for their effort in organising the day, and to all who participated, either selling or buying.
A great team effort ensured the success of the day, especially the $500 raised for Charity.
My feet had barely hit the ground at Mountain View when the Annual General Meeting was called. I was too busy settling in to care about the politics of the place, but the agenda included a motion to terminate the Strata Manager. Self-management is complicated in a large scheme, so I wondered if that would be a wise decision to make.
There was a lot to be said at that meeting, and as a relatively new resident I listened to all the arguments, for and against. When I cast my vote in favour of self-management I was confident we could do it.
Just before the AGM I was nominated for a position on the Strata Committee, and I’ve been part of that great committee since then.
It’s a tough gig but someone has to do it
Giving time to be on the Strata Committee has been an honour and a privilege, but it hasn’t been without problems.
The legislation that governs Strata Schemes in New South Wales has changed, and the changes have increased the complexity of managing large schemes like ours. None of the committee members are trained Strata Managers; we’ve been a lot of things in our other lives, but not Strata Managers.
We are a large Strata Scheme and we need the expertise of a fully qualified Strata Manager to guide us.
David does an amazing job as our Community Manager, but the last thing he needs is the extra strain of helping us keep up with changes in the legislation.
What does the legislation say?
The Strata Committee put in a lot of hours in the lead up to presenting Motions to residents at a General Meeting, as per legislation.
The Owners voted on:
whether we need a Strata Manager
which of the two proposals to accept for the appointment of a Strata Manager (dependent on the outcome of the first Motion)
The Motions and two proposals from prospective Strata Management companies were presented at a General Meeting. And the residents of this great village voted in favour of a Strata Manager, and in favour of appointing BCS to manage this fabulous place we live in.
The Strata Committee is still relevant, but the hard work will now be borne by BCS generally, and Matthew (our new Strata Manager) specifically.
Yep! Self-management is complicated
So we can all relax, safe in the knowledge that BCS will handle the hard stuff. They know the legislation inside-out and can answer all those tough questions.
Do we still need a Strata Committee?
Mountain View is a Strata Scheme, even though we have an increasing number of Leasehold units. Until we are 100% Leasehold, we will be a Strata Scheme, and a Strata Scheme has to have a Strata Committee.
I would encourage Owners to consider nominating for a position on the Strata Committee at future elections. We sorted the hard stuff so you can have a much easier experience than the current committee has had.
And what about David?
David will now be able to focus on what he needs to do as Community Manager. The appointment of BCS takes a lot of pressure off him.
The majority of residents love where they live and want to live peacefully and harmoniously with their neighbours. There are a few residents who aren’t happy but that’s life; the rest of us just keep on being happy.
I often wonder how David survived all the hard stuff that went on behind the scenes, but he did. He handles it all without even breaking a sweat – he saves the sweat for the football field after work. There’s a lot to be said for a good physical workout after a stressful day.
If it isn’t working, call Dave!
Who do we call when a water main bursts? Dave! He knows which mains to turn off and what to do until the plumber arrives.
Dave is a man of few words – unless you ask for a progress report on his new granddaughter. Then out comes the modern-day brag book (the trusty smart-phone) with the latest photos and videos. And because we all know the mother (and father) of this beautiful baby, we can’t get enough reports of how she is growing.
Dave will still do what he does best – look after the everyday maintenance stuff.
Jason and the gardeners…
Nothing will change on the garden front. Jason will still manage his fabulous team to keep our gardens as beautiful as they always are.
One of the first things visitors notice are the gardens, especially in spring. We live in a kaleidoscope of colour, carefully planned and cultivated by our amazing gardening team, originally led by Eddie, and now capably managed by his son, Jason. Our twenty-eight acres of spectacular bushland are a credit to this amazing team.
So what happens now?
BCS will take care of the big stuff
David is still at the helm as Community Manager
the girls will continue to manage the office and call-outs
Jason and his team will still look after the gardens
Dave will fix everything that needs fixing (within his job description) and keep us updated on the progress of his beautiful granddaughter
the Strata Committee will liaise with the Strata Manager and continue to make decisions about Common Property
Mountain View is in good hands
Self-management is complicated, and that’s why it’s better to hand the management over to BCS. And we can all get on with what we do best: enjoy our retirement.
The amazing team of Coral and Christine, with the help of a heap of fantastic volunteers, put together another successful Village Garden Market yesterday.
Garden enthusiasts and hungry residents stayed dry while they ambled through the tables full of plants and baked goods.
The girls did a great job as acting Bookies, selling tickets in next week’s Melbourne Cup Sweep.
Thanks Prue, Christine and Coral.
At these prices you could afford to fill your balcony with amazing plants.
When you weren’t buying plants, it was a great time to catch up with neighbours.
Plants. plants and more plants
The pool provided a peaceful backdrop, especially with the raindrops landing on the surface of the water, while shoppers pondered their potential purchase.
Cheryl, Tony and Anna stocked up on house-plants, while Kerrie and John, Wendy and Peter caught up on village news.
Margaret took care of sales and greetings. She had a huge smile for everyone who stopped to say hello.
Susan sold heaps of tickets for the beautiful butterfly decoration. If the person who won it is having trouble figuring out where to put it, I have the perfect spot at my place. Just saying…
Linda guarded the baked goodies. I bought some carrot cake, had it for lunch (yep – that’s what I do…), and it was so good I‘ve pre-ordered another one for next week (thanks Christine).
I don’t think Linda needed to up-sell any of the great variety of cakes and slices. Judy knew exactly what she wanted. The Brownies were really popular.
Am I the only one who thinks these plants are amazingly inexpensive?
I’ve resorted to buying plants that grow in water, not soil. So far the last lot I bought have survived.
The good old sanitiser and sign-in sheet greeted everyone on arrival. Where would we be without them.
I love those decorations that swirl around. I’m sure I’d just sit on my porch all day, watching them catch the breeze.
Mary didn’t waste any time working out which plants to buy for her balcony.
The day was a great success, and there were many more volunteers than the ones mentioned here.
To everyone who helped make the Village Garden Market another awesome success – Thank You!
Helping each other is what Mountain View residents do well, and it’s what makes this place the best place to live.
Mine was one of the generations raised with the gender defining notion that boy babies wore blue booties, and girl babies wore pink booties.
Fast forward to 2019 – those boy babies are now in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and blue has been ditched in favour of pink.
For seniors who attended the recent Project Pink function at Mountain View Retirement Village, the room was a sea of pink. Our now more senior boy babies wore pink shirts, pink ties, pink braces, and pink hats.
There was not a blue bootie to be seen… anywhere.
Pink bras were strung high and wide, along with the usual bunting and balloons.
So why would these trend-setters of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s don their finest pink outfits, and assemble in the Community Centre on a fine day in October?
Because….
Mountain View Retirement Village puts on an annual event to raise money for the PA‘ s research into Breast Cancer.
Project Pink – Mountain View Style
Project Pink is our way of raising money for a great cause, and residents came out in full force to support it.
Food was plentiful and the drinks flowed.
Each attendee paid a nominal fee to attend, and then untied the purse-strings to buy heaps of raffle tickets.
You could be forgiven for thinking the cost of admission wouldn’t even cover the cost of lunch, let alone drinks and raffle prizes.
And it didn’t. We had some serious help with the funding.
Aveo supports Project Pink events in its communities across the country, with an aim to raise one million dollars for the cause.
Businesses in Murwillumbah donated generously to make sure there were enough raffle prizes.
And the staff and residents of Mountain View worked tirelessly on the day.
David, Dave and John flipped burgers and sausages on the BBQ.
Shanneen, Ellen and Kerrie took care of everything inside.
And Ray, one of the boy babies adorned in pink, greeted guests and helped sell raffle tickets.
Residents ate, drank and were merry – their participation making a difference to the families who have or will be affected by Breast Cancer in their lifetime.
Have you heard me say Murwillumbah is the best place to live?
Here’s why…
Resident volunteers took to the streets of Murwillumbah a few weeks before the event and ‘door-knocked’ businesses. I visited five places who all generously donated gifts or services, and the other volunteers had similar results.
There was no shortage of fabulous prizes donated by the generous businesses within the Murwillumbah community.
The table and notice board overflowed with the generous donations from Murwillumbah businesses.
You could have heard a pin drop when David started calling out the raffle winners. Eyes focussed on lucky (or not..) tickets, as each attendee waited with much anticipation to hear their lucky number called out.
There may have even been a bit of skullduggery going on between winners because I’m sure I noticed a couple of deals going down.
I know Wendy and Ray came to some kind of arrangement.
“Love your new haircut, Ray”.
“Nice new pot-plant, Wendy!”.
Those who didn’t win were grateful that the purchase of their tickets helped raise much needed funds for research into Breast Cancer.
We raised a little over $1500.00!
That’s a mammoth effort for the little community up on the hill.
And we could not have done it without the support of Aveo, and our Murwillumbah community.
A Huge Thank You To:
The amazing Aveo Mountain View management team for their dedication and energy in organising the event, food, drinks and BBQ.
Shanneen, for orchestrating the event from beginning to end.
The residents of Mountain View Retirement Village who:
helped cook the great BBQ lunch
attended the function
bought heaps of raffle tickets
Thank you to all who attended and made the day a huge success, and most importantly, those who delved deep into their wardrobes to find something pink to wear.
And an even bigger Thank You! to these amazingly-generous Murwillumbah businesses for opening their hearts (and wallets) to donate the amazing prizes that helped us raise a whole lot of money.
Your generous donations have made a big difference and we thank you, sincerely.
Australia Post
B Spoilt Hair Salon
Balcony Restaurant
Beverley’s on Main Street
Bottle-O Bray Park
Bi-Rite Electrical
Bray Park Butchery
Cafe 81
Chantilly Boutique
Country Style Barber
Con Varella Pharmacy
Dinki Di Discounts
JH Williams
Juju’s Cafe
Katrina Hair Salon
Keith’s Cafe
Lavender Blue
Mapp & Hession Pharmacy
Mother Js Nursery
Murwillumbah Cellars
Murwillumbah Golf Club
Murwillumbah RSL Club
New Leaf Cafe
Office Choice
Opal Nails
Outdoorism
Priceline
Rumour Has It
Soul Pattinson Pharmacy
Sports World
Sutto’s Floor Coverings
Sunnyside Meats
Take a Break Cafe
The Foundry
The Style Shop
Tweed Fruit Exchange
And at the end of the day, our boy babies…..
….. hung up their pink shirts, dusted off their pink hats, and folded their pink ties and braces. Will the pink gear be kept in a dark cupboard until next year’s Project Pink, or will our boy babies show up in their finest pink garb at other events?
That is the burning question that only time will tell.
Come back and visit this page often, and if you can support any of these local businesses, it would be a great way to thank them for donating to the PA’s Research into Breast Cancer, through Mountain View’s Project Pink function.
Did we miss knocking on your door this year?
If you would like to support Mountain View’s Project Pink next year by donating goods or services, make sure you leave a comment on this page, or contact the office at Mountain View Retirement Village to have your name added to the list for 2020.
At the end of Day Two, fifteen weary but happy travellers were delivered safely back to our beautiful village. So with Part One of the Tenterfield Trip done and dusted, here is a pictorial account of Day Two.
Day Two
On Wednesday morning we woke to a beautiful crisp Autumn morning in Tenterfield (that’s code for FFFFF – Freezing Cold!). The sun was shining in a clear blue sky and all was right with our world.
Our Home-Away-From-Home…. for one fantastic night…
Breakfast was cooking at the School of Arts Cafe and the fabulous team of Marion and Amanda were waiting to greet us. Marion and Amanda had started work early so that we could eat and be on our way. We still had some sightseeing to take care of – oh – and maybe just a little bit more shopping.
Marion and Amanda got up extra early to accommodate us, and still had a welcome smile for us when we arrived. What an awesome team!
Breakfast!
Who wouldn’t want to go back for more, once they have eaten at the School of Arts Cafe at Tenterfield? That’s how it happened for us… lunch one day – breakfast the next. These girls, (and the lovely Kylie), made sure our dining experiences were met with a smile, and every detail attended to. Thank you, Amanda, Marion and Kylie for contributing to our first overnight bus trip.
Make sure you stop in and say Hi! to these lovely ladies next time you are in Tenterfield.
And leave enough time to read the walls leading through to the cafe. You’ll come away with a deeper knowledge of our Prime Ministerial History. And yes, they have had to add a bit more wall space to accommodate our revolving-door Prime Ministership of recent years.
Photos from the early years to…..…what the heck!Funny how we were more subdued over breakfast than we were at pre-dinner drinks the day before…
With breakfast done and dusted, the early birds opted for a walk while waiting for others to finish, before meeting back at the bus.
Joan, Elizabeth and I opted for a quick dash to the Haberdashery store we had spotted the previous afternoon. What an experience that was!!! It was like finding Aladdin’s Cave unlocked, and with the lights on.
We each settled on our own version of obsession – mine was more wool for yet another scarf, as well as some awesome quilting fabric for yet another cushion (I don’t have the skill or patience for a big project yet).
In real friendly Tenterfield style, the saleslady approached us, started a conversation about our warm headgear and scarves, and immediately put us at ease. She showed us different wools and what they would look like as a finished product. To say we were impressed would be an understatement! And the best news? You can phone Country Curtains and they will post items to you.
Apparently, they are very used to hearing visitors say ‘we don’t have a haberdashery store in our town’.
Joan found a great souvenir for a friend, and the last we saw of Elizabeth, she was immersed in a mass of colourful wool and fabric. She eventually caught up to us – looking as happy as we felt.
Meanwhile, back at the bus…
Bags were loaded and travellers resumed their seats for the next leg of the journey.
First stop: The Tenterfield Saddler House
Don’t ever go to Tenterfield without visiting the home of the Tenterfield Saddler. But don’t expect to only see saddles and whips. This tiny cottage is overflowing with history.
Just love this door!
Yes, youngsters, this is a telephone!
Recognise the remake of the old string bag?
There’s nothing like wearing a hand-crafted belt
Yep… this is a saddle
I was fascinated to see the handwritten note from Hugh Jackman, thanking the Saddlery for the whip he used in the film about Peter Allen. But you will have to make the trip to Tenterfield if you want to see it.
I dare say Keith, the amazing volunteer on duty that day, was sick of hearing ‘Oh Wow!’, every time I turned around and discovered another memory from the past.
We owe a huge thank you to the unsung heroes who keep the history alive for those who lived through it and those born too late to be part of it. To the Volunteers who keep the Tenterfield Saddler Museum running – Thank You. You are all Legends.
Back to the bus…
The next ‘must-see’ item on our itinerary was the Cork Tree.
Not bad, considering the cork tree came to Australia in a jam tin in 1861…
The Cork Tree is reported to have magical powers if you walk around it three times while reciting a special chant. If you make a wish while chanting, it is supposed to come true. If only we could have walked around it!
And finally, the Railway Museum
Old trains and railway stations conjure up images and memories of the past. And the Tenterfield Railway Museum provided a nostalgic snapshot of how travel used to be.
They just don’t make buildings like this anymore…Part of the happy-travellers group
Murwillumbah Calls….
Ted navigated us back to the highway and we were homeward bound. But not without thoughts of lunch. We had our sights set on a Pie Shop we had seen advertised on the highway the day before. But to quote a famous line from Robert Burns – To A Mouse, “The best laid schemes of mice and men….”. Our pie-shop plans went sadly ‘awry’!
A short detour from the highway should have delivered us to the door of the pie-shop. Instead, we stared blankly at a door that was closed, despite a sign at the front and on the side wall blatantly advertising the promise of a cafe inside.
Doubling back we headed for a hotel we had passed moments earlier. A reconnaissance team was dispatched to see if the hotel could feed fifteen hungry travellers, but returned with ‘mmm – we might keep going…’. They also reported that the cafe down the road had been closed for about ten years.
The final leg of the journey continued.
Yes, we all had a fantastic time away – but there was something magic in seeing Mt Warning in the distance on the homeward-stretch.
We were almost home!
Casino – Next Stop
It was just before 2.00 pm by the time we pulled up in front of the Commercial Hotel in Casino. Google assured us the Commercial Hotel was the place for lunch. Except – lunch has prescribed times at the Commercial Hotel – and 2pm isn’t one of them. We were politely directed to a coffee shop at the end of the building, so coffee and cake would have to do. Surprisingly, there was more on offer than just coffee-shop fare, and fifteen hungry travellers were fed.
The best part of our impromptu change of plans was the garden seating – as long as you could find a seat in the sun.
Some of us even found time for a short walk before regaining our rightful places on the bus.
The sun was setting on Day Two…
Desley’s calculation that the sun would be setting as we came over the Burringbar Range was spot-on. The sun-visors did little to deflect the blinding light of the sun as the earth began its journey towards darkness.
The sight of the Tweed Regional Art Gallery signalled our return to Murwillumbah. Back to familiarity – back to routines.
At 4.48pm, the bus stopped at the first drop-off point.
We were home!
One-by-one, well-worn travellers retrieved their luggage and said their goodbyes.
As Day Two closed around them, the fifteen adventurers probably relived the highlights of their two-day trip to Tenterfield. They may have had a few chuckles at the memorable moments – like – trying to count the votes for where to have breakfast (after a few drinks), finding the cafe that had closed ten years earlier, and meeting the most colourful character of Tenterfield.
And sleep found them all, probably a little earlier than usual that night.
We would like to thank the following people for making our first overnight trip to Tenterfield so memorable:
Desley, our fabulous bus-driver
Ted, our brilliant navigator
Alan from No Bull Vintage and Collectables Kyogle
Shelley and Staff at The Sugarbowl – Kyogle
Luke – the perfect host – Peter Allen Motor Inn Tenterfield
Marion & Amanda – School of Arts Cafe Tenterfield
And the fantastic team of travellers! Let’s do it again – soon!!
Synchronised alarm clocks started ringing around the village bright and early on Tuesday morning. It was the day for the Tenterfield trip – the bus was leaving at 8.00am – and fifteen of us planned to be on it.
Weeks of planning and anticipation were about to come crashing in on each one of us. With last minute almost-forgotten items shoved into our packing, we hauled our bags out to the street to wait for the bus. By 8.30 we were all aboard and on our way.
The Journey Begins…
Murwillumbah cows…
Not sure what this is, but it was impressive
That’s a lot of wood
A new bridge is under construction
By the time we arrived at Kyogle, it was time for a cuppa and brunch. And The Sugar Bowl was the perfect place.
And guess where this sign was?
Catching up on the news…
Oh, and maybe just a little bit of shopping. There’s nothing like supporting a local business.
No Bull!! Vintage and Collectables Extraordinaire…The Welcoming CommitteeThere are so many bargains lurking here..Alan offered to make us a cuppa. Thanks for the hospitality Alan, but we’ll pass…
I’m sure glad there was room on the bus to accommodate all our bargain shopping.
If you are in Kyogle, don’t forget to call in to ‘No Bull Vintage and Collectables’. If you are really lucky, Alan will put the big authentic Chinese Kettle on. I reckon that would quench anyone’s thirst.
On the road again, and on to Tenterfield!
Are We There Yet?
Each traveller had a handout that included the itinerary, historical facts about Tenterfield, Sudokus, a Crossword and a WordSearch. But that didn’t stem the steady flow of conversation. We managed to solve a lot of the problems of the nation as well as slipping in the odd joke or two. We shared reviews of favourite movies, books and authors. But above all we found out a little more about each other. And that was the real bonus of the trip – getting to know the people who make Mountain View a great place to live. And I only heard ‘Are we there yet?’ once.
Anticipation started to build when we saw the sign that welcomed us to the Tenterfield Shire.
And then we were there!
The School of Arts Cafe was expecting us at 1.30pm and we arrived with a few minutes to spare. When the bus stopped in the carpark at the back, we eagerly disembarked. There, right beside us on our right, was the Hotel we would be having dinner at that evening. And on our left, the motel we would be staying at. Can you believe it? Considering the bookings were made over the phone and via email, I couldn’t believe how convenient it all turned out to be.
The School of Arts Cafe – the perfect place for lunch
After lunch we unpacked the bus, walked through the carpark to the Peter Allen Motor Inn next door, collected our keys, and headed for our rooms. We had decided to make our own plans for the afternoon. Most of us chose to take a walk through town. What a fantastic place! Joan and I met a very friendly character who owned a number of businesses in town.
It just proved what I had always thought – Tenterfield is a very friendly place!
Back to our rooms for some downtime before dinner – NOT! I heard a voice outside my room calling my name, and I opened the door to an invitation to drinks at the front of the Motel.
By the time I had put on a few extra layers and made my way to the designated area, the pre-dinner drinks were in full swing.
Unfortunately, the discussion and subsequent vote for where to have breakfast the next morning, occurred later in the session rather than earlier. After a few drinks, three confused votes, and numerous attempts to count the votes, we apparently agreed we would return to the School of Arts Cafe. I say ‘apparently’ because with all the laughter and banter, I was flat out working out what had just happened. I certainly haven’t laughed that much in a long time. And I wasn’t even drinking!!
Dinner? What Dinner??
Yes, we had dinner at the Telegraph Hotel – but I realized when we got back to the motel that I hadn’t taken any photos.
How did that happen?
The food was fantastic, even though some of us had to wait a while – I mean a l-o-n-g while for our meal. But the staff were very apologetic, and besides, they weren’t used to having fifteen extra people for dinner on a Tuesday night. It was a great place to eat, and I’d recommend it to anyone.
I think the batteries need replacing in the clock – oh well, it will be right twice every twenty-four hours…
Saying it was a bit cold as we walked back to the motel is probably a bit of an understatement. It was seriously cold! Thank goodness our beds had electric blankets and there was a reverse-cycle air-conditioner in our rooms. Sleep came easily for us all.
And sleep heralded the end of the first day of our Tenterfield Trip.
Here at Mountain View we are always thinking of: new things to do; places to go; people to meet. Our Social Committee organises most activities, but residents come up with ideas as well. That’s how the upcoming road trip to Tenterfield came about.
Load that bus!! We’re going to Tenterfield!
Lock in the 28th May, Eddie!
A couple of months ago, Wendy and I started tossing ideas around for an overnight trip for Mountain View residents. And since Tenterfield had been on my mind for a while, it seemed like a good a place for our inaugural overnight-er.
Dulcie, on behalf of the Social Committee, joined us in the planning. And with seemingly little effort, we are all set to take off on the 28th May.
the bus is available
we have enough willing travellers to (almost) fill the bus
Desley has volunteered to drive
accommodation is booked
meals are sorted
and we are working on the itinerary
Tenterfield – here we come!
Tenterfield, besides being a beautiful place to visit, is a significant part of our Australian history. On the 24th October 1889, Sir Henry Parkes delivered the Federation Speech, (Tenterfield Oration) right there in Tenterfield.
I believe that the time has come, and if two Governments set an example, the others must soon of necessity follow. There will be an uprising in this fair land of a goodly fabric of free Government, and all great national questions of magnitude affecting the welfare of the colonies will be disposed of by a fully authorised constitutional authority. This means a distinct executive and a distinct parliamentary power for the whole of Australia, and it means a Parliament of two Houses, a House of Commons and a Senate, which will legislate on these great subjects.
Sir Henry Parkes (Federation Speech 1889)
So, the Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts Cafe will be our first port of call. Having lunch in the building in which the Father of Federation once stood, will be a great introduction to Tenterfield.
Our Federated Nation started right here in Tenterfield
In a more modern context, Tenterfield was showcased to the world in the words of Peter Allen’s song – ‘The Tenterfield Saddler’. Peter’s Grandfather, George Woolnough, once plied his trade in the building that had housed many Saddlers before him. A visit to the old Saddlery will feature prominently on our itinerary.
On the subject of Peter Allen, where better to stay in Tenterfield than the Peter Allen Motor Inn. A few emails and a phone call to Luke, and our accommodation was in the bag. Luke was so accommodating that he even helped us decide on the best place for dinner.
The History Trail on our Road Trip to Tenterfield
Some of our travellers are keen gardeners, so a visit to Tenterfield wouldn’t be complete without seeing the old Cork Tree. The seeds for the cork tree came to Australia in a jam tin, in the very early days of our settlement (1861). The seeds grew and the tree is reportedly one of the largest cork trees in the country. Who would have thought that cork grows on trees? And it is still growing, Just as well we didn’t have Border Force back then, or Edward Parker would have been paying a hefty fine for bringing in plant material. Next time you pop the cork of your favourite bubbly, spare a thought for the cork tree, from whence the stopper comes.
We’ll be visiting Stannum House – or at least looking at it from the outside. The spiral staircase might be a bit daunting for some of our travellers. Built more than three-hundred years ago, the beautiful Stannum House still stands tall and proud. Past visitors of Stannum House include: Banjo Paterson; Dame Nellie Melba; and of course, Sir Henry Parkes. Their spirits live on. There is a lot of history wrapped up in the New England city of Tenterfield.
…. Australia has now a population of three and a half millions, and the American people numbered only between three and four millions when they formed the great Commonwealth of the United States. The numbers are about the same. Surely what the Americans have done by war, Australians can bring about in peace.
Sir Henry Parkes (from the Tenterfield Oration 1889)
The Post Office building in Tenterfield
From historical buildings to beautiful scenery, Tenterfield has it all.
Our road trip to Tenterfield is quickly moving from the planning stage to the ‘Are we there yet?’.
The countdown is on! Only four days until Aveo Mountain View’s Seniors Expo. That’s just four sleeps and a wakey – until Friday the 22nd February. We’ll put the coffee machine in overdrive, crank up the kettle, and make sure the biscuit tin is full. So take a drive up Byangum Road (from Murwillumbah), turn left into Ingram Place – we are at the end of Ingram Place (1 Ingram Place). Let us know you are coming so we can put enough beans in the coffee machine.
We are really excited about showing you our place.
You’ll see:
inside one of our fabulous units
the lake
the Bowling Green
our community centre – the Hub for most of our activities
bin chickensibis (sorry – couldn’t put them in the beautiful birds category)
water dragons
happy retirees enjoying life
presentations from outside agencies – providing information about all things ‘ageing’
presentations from residents – to show what we do all day
If retirement is on your horizon, or the horizon of someone you know, come and talk to us. We’ve (nearly) all hit the retirement button – some of us are new at it – others are old-hands – but we can show you some of the options available. Even if your retirement plans feature foreign shores, you might pick up some valuable tips from someone who has been there and done that. Some of our residents split their retirement time between Aveo Mountain View and a resort on a tropical island. Can it get any better than that?
Come and see Julia’s beautiful quilts
Click here to see the Timetable for the day. Come for the full day (11.30 – 3.00) or just an hour or two. Oh, and don’t forget the cooking demonstration at 2.00pm. You won’t want to miss it!
Just remember though, the roads throughout Mountain View Village are shared roads. That means, we share the road with cars, trucks, seniors (some of us don’t move as fast as we used to) and our wildlife.
Our speed limit is 15 km/h!
Please slow down while in the village.
Our beautiful lake…
Well, what are you waiting for?
Pick up the phone and call the office to let us know you are coming.
The phone number is: 02-6672-4800 (Office Hours)
Or you can email me: retired@mountainview-living.com
Or, fill out the RSVP at the bottom of this page
Remember, there’s only four days until the Aveo Mountain View Seniors Expo – so….
