BUSINESSES near the intersection of Kingdon Street and Kelly Street received letters last week from Roads and Maritime Services stating work would be conducted there from May 3 until May 13, raising concerns about how the work may impact on trade during the Horse Festival.
However, the RMS were able to confirm their work will be focused on surveying the intersection to assess how pedestrian safety could be improved and will not cause disruption to trade.
On Tuesday and Wednesday they will survey property boundries, driveways and footpaths and on Monday, May 9 between 8pm and midnight the will have traffic control in place at the intersection for short intervals to allow surveyors to inspect the road surface.
However, the Scone Chamber of Commerce and Council expressed concern on Thursday night that the RMS may be considering a set of traffic lights at the intersection.
Waid Crockett, general manager of Upper Hunter Shire Council described the possible option as ludicrous.
“The RMS are undertaking a study for pedestrian access and we have heard it is a possibility at that intersection,” said Mr Crockett.
“We will keep the Chamber informed of anything further, but certainly we agree lights there would be ludicrous, especially if the bypass goes ahead,” Waid Crockett said.
Anna Zycki, regional manager for RMS Hunter region explained the studies to be conducted at the intersection in the article Kingdon Street Safety Concerns when she was in Scone in late February.
Ms Zycki said that no solutions would be ruled in or out until the intersection and the issues to pedestrian safety were properly assessed.
“You can do things like island refuges there, reducing the lane width so there is pedestrian access coming on either side, an obvious one is a pedestrian crossing, warning signage, there are a whole range of other things we can do,” she said.
“Until we finish the safety investigation there, we won’t know what the right solution is,” Anna Zychi said.
If you have further questions about the survey work you can contact the RMS project manager Darren Jackson on 02 6575 2304 or email: darren.jackson@rms.nsw.gov.au.
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THE ANZAC memorial dawn service at Aberdeen was attended by 190 people of all ages who came to show their respect for past and present serving members of Australia and New Zealand´s armed forces.
The dawn ANZAC service at Aberdeen was well attended.
The Master of Ceremonies Gary “Doc” Milton introduced the 12/16 Hunter River Lancers and the guest of honor Lt Sean Coy of the Lone Pine Barracks, Singleton.
The last post rang through the silent air and was played by Jaydon Hind.
“The community is right behind us all the way and we are keeping the tradition alive, I am really pleased with the turnout here for the dawn service.
We are glad to have the 12/16 Hunter River Lancers here again, later we will have the Aberdeen Group Citizen of the year the Aberdeen Care Package Cadets leading the March, they have sent over 1500 care packages to the serving troops” Mr Milton Said.
Soldiers from the 12/16 Hunter River Lancers at the Aberdeen dawn ANZAC service. Trooper Michal Bunt, Trooper Patrick Flanagan, Lance Corporal Cameron Turner, Corporal Brett Condon, Craftsman Sarah Jackson, Trooper Casey Flanagan and Trooper Jordan Legge
The morning service was attended by a large number of people and community groups wishing to show their respect for our ANZACs.
The cenotaph had wreaths laid by a large number of groups led by Jim Bruce who laid The Rising Sun, followed by Lt Sean Coy from the Lone Pine Barracks of Singleton.
Wreaths were also laid by the Aberdeen RSL Citizens Club, Legacy Aberdeen, Anzac Day Committee Aberdeen, Aberdeen Rouchel Red Cross, 1st Aberdeen Scouts, Aberdeen Public School, Scone High School, St Thomas Catholic Church, Care Package Cadets, Aberdeen Junior Rugby League, Aberdeen Fire and Rescue, Upper Hunter Shire Scone, Scone Public School, Aberdeen Senior Rugby League, In Memory of Fred Day, SES Aberdeen, St Marks Aberdeen, Lions Club Aberdeen, Aberdeen Men´s Shed, Aberdeen Bowling Club, St Josephs Aberdeen, Scone Grammar School and the Aberdeen Old Boys.
The crowd listened to prayers for our service men and women, past and present fallen and returned.
The service concluded with the simple ringing words, Lest we Forget.
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- Bugler Jaydon Hind at the Aberdeen ANZAC Memorial morning service.
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- Trooper Michael Bunt of the 12/16 Hunter River Lancers after lowering the Australian Flag at the Aberdeen morning ANZAC memorial service.
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- Wreaths laid at the The William Allen Memorial cenotaph in Aberdeen during the morning ANZAC memorial service.
MORE than 1000 people attended the Scone ANZAC Day dawn service, with organisers saying the numbers of people coming to pay their respects is growing every year.
Soldiers marching into place at the Scone cenotaph for the ANZAC Day dawn service.
The dawn service had its origins during battle when soldiers were woken before dawn to take their positions and would gather in the half-light dawn for the “stand-to”.
After the First World War soldiers often gathered in the first peaceful moments before dawn to commemorate their fallen mates.
There was a requiem mass held in Albany, Western Australia on April 25, 1918 and in 1927 a group of men who were returning from an ANZAC function from the night before came across an elderly woman laying flowers at the unfinished cenotaph in Sydney and resolved to have a formal dawn service the following year.
More than 150 gathered in 1928 and so began the ANZAC Day dawn service tradition in Australia.
Laying wreaths at the ANZAC dawn service in Scone.
People who laid wreaths at the Scone dawn service included:
- Val Quinell, president of the Scone RSL sub-branch;
- Cr Peter Bishop, Upper Hunter Shire Council;
- Inspector Guy Giana, NSW Police;
- Scone High School;
- Scone Public School;
- Scone Grammar School;
- St Mary’s primary school;
- St Joseph’s high school;
- Belltrees Public School;
- Chris Hopton, Rural Fire Service;
- Mark Lawrence, Scone RSL Pipes and Drums;
- Mark Frost, Fire and Rescue;
- NSW Ambulance and
- Alan Davidson, Scone SES.
The last post being played as Val Quinell, president of the Scone RSL sub-branch raises the flag at the Scone ANZAC Day awn service.
YESTERDAY Errol and Beryl Bates celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, which all began when Errol accidently spilt a cup of tea on Beryl at a dance in Whittingham.
Beryl and Errol Bates still dancing 50 years later.
Errol recalls that was the night he was inspired to learn how to dance.
“Around Singleton in those days there was always a country dance and her family were keen dancers and I said well the only way I’m going to have a chance with her is to start going to the dances,” said Mr Bates.
“If I couldn’t dance I couldn’t pick up with her, so I had to learn to dance,” he said.
Errol and Beryl’s love for dancing continued and for more than 14 years they taught young people to dance for the local debutante balls.
They agree the secret to a happy marriage is never going to bed on an argument.
“Never to go to bed on an argument, someone told us that when we got married and it works and appreciate what you’ve got,” said Beryl.
“We’ve all got our little faults and you need to accept them, you can’t change them, lots of people think when they get married that they’ll change this and change that, but you need to take them for what they are,” she said.
“Communication is the most important, but it is also learning when to keep your mouth shut, I said that yesterday and they all laughed and I said what it means is instead of having a fight over some stupid little thing, think about and don’t say anything.
“Sometimes something little will happen and they have these big blues and you think well what did they fight over, so instead think about if it is worth it and sometimes it’s best to keep your mouth shut don’t say anything and let it go.
“You’ve got to communicate, but we don’t fight and argue.
“We often have a disagreement, but we don’t argue much at all,” she said.
Beryl said the hardest thing in their marriage has been weathering times of drought together and best thing was finding each other.
Errol and Beryl Bates cutting their 50th wedding anniversary cake.
“The hardest part has been when we have gone through drought, the mental anguish of droughts, it doesn’t make you scream and fight, but it does add pressure, so you’ve got to work together and work it out,” she said.
“Just finding the love of your life, we were just lucky we just clicked,” she said.
“When we were on our honeymoon there was a couple we’d just met up with who had been together for five years and they wouldn’t believe we were on our honeymoon because we were so comfortable with each other,” Beryl Bates said.
Errol said there was nothing that annoyed him about Beryl and he felt lucky to have found her.
“The companionship, the love, the dedication the thoughtfulness of her, she is just a wonderful person and the love of my life,” Errol Bates said.
CROWD favourites in the Scone and Upper Hunter horse festival parade, Noelene Black and Beryl Bates are set to take their final bow during this years parade.
For the past 21 years Noelene and Beryl have been the beloved local clowns in the parade, but have decided it is time to take a rest.
Lee Watts, president of the Scone and Upper Hunter Horse Festival Committee said they will be sadly missed.
“The pair have brought a great sense of humour to the parade and we look forward to what strange get-up they have come up with each year,” said Ms Watts.
“I am sure I can say from everyone a huge thank you for your humour and effort you have put into the parade over the years,” she said.
“This year we will definitely be watching out for them as the parade marches around and they take their final bow, with a theme like ” Horses go to Rio” I am sure they will make the most of it,” Lee Watts said.
If you would also like t be part of the parade email entries to: sconehorsefestival@gmail.com or PO Box 405 Scone no later than the 29th April; late entries cannot be accepted.
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