Along the Highway: Blue Mountains community news

They met up with Brenden Moore, an Aboriginal Education Officer from the Sydney Botanic Gardens, who was very interested in helping Springwood Community Garden develop a bush tucker garden to be ready for the 2019 NADOC celebrations.

It was a sell-out concert on July 1 when 25 choristers from the Blue Mountains Youth Choir (BMYC) and six choristers from Wycliffe Christian School joined the highly regarded Australian Girls’ Choir (AGC) on the Blue Mountains leg of their 2018 Australian tour.

Local choristers enjoyed the rare privilege of participating in a pre-concert workshop with the AGC under the directorship of Laura Knowling in the lead up to the concert at the Blue Mountains Theatre. As well as joining with the AGC in their version of the Nigerian highlife song, O Re Mi, and an arrangement of Beautiful Creatures from the film Rio 2, the BMYC held their own beautifully with two songs to open the show.

Term 3 will see BMYC return to a project-based format rather than weekly rehearsals. Two Sunday workshops in July and August, led by BMYC director, Catriona McKay, will culminate in the choir’s return performance as part of the Blackheath Choir Festival on Sunday, August 26. New members are welcome to join for this performance.

Next up and for the third consecutive year, BMYC has invited Mountains-born and internationally-renowned composer, conductor and multi-instrumentalist, Paul Jarman, to lead a school holiday workshop in the last week of the October school holidays. This event is open to children between the ages of nine and 15 at a cost of $120, with discounts for sibling groups. Further information  is available at www.academysingers.com.au, phone 0409 602 016 or on Facebook.  

BMYC thanks the Bendigo Bank and Scenic World for their generous sponsorship and ongoing support of quality choral education in the Blue Mountains.

The Rotary Club of Springwood held its annual changeover dinner last month.

Outgoing President Norm Kitto thanked his board and all club members, partners and friends for their many hours of hard work culminating in a successful year with the club distributing in excess of $55,000 to both local community groups and international humanitarian programs.

President Kitto then handed over the chain of office to incoming president, Margaret Bell, who then introduced her board – Paul Erickson, Norm Kitto, David Raynor, Jenny Thomas, Bill Bowler, Deirdre Covington, Adam Law, Colin Kenney, John Fuller, Dr Geoffrey Glassock AM, Bronwyn Berriman – before pledging the club’s commitment to continue its support of the local community and many humanitarian programs of Rotary International.

Any community minded persons interested in joining the club or becoming a friend of the club can contact Margaret Bell on 0409 656 542.

Rev Gerard Kelly is the guest speaker at the annual ecumenical dinner on September 6. His topic is, “Reflections on 25 years of Engagement in the Ecumenical Movement”. Rev Kelly is current chair of the National Council of Churches of Australia's Committee on Faith and Unity and past president of the Catholic Institute of Sydney. He also has extensive experience of ecumenical dialogues.

Booking is essential for this event on 4739 5273. The event is organised by the Glenbrook-Blaxland Interchurch Group.

Tarella, the Blue Mountains Historical Society’s 19th century cottage museum at 99 Blaxland Road, Wentworth Falls, will be holding an open day from 10am-3pm on Sunday, July 20.

There is a new exhibition titled, Our Favourite Toys. When you were young, did you play with Cabbage Patch dolls? Or are you older and were ceramic dolls more your toys? Marbles, anyone? Cars? Trains? Come along and see what our members loved when they were younger.  

The old kitchen will be in operation this month. Have you ever tried to cook over an open fire each day?

Entry charges are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Entry to the exhibition is free with entry to Tarella. Devonshire teas and soup are also available.

Artscope, run by the Springwood Neighbourhood Centre, is open to anyone with a lived experience of mental illness who is interested in artistic expression. It is held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in the Presbyterian Church Hall in Springwood.

From August 8 until October 10, Artscope will be open to Blue Fringe participants who desire an open space to create their artworks and bounce ideas off other artists. This will run alongside the usual Artscope activities. For more information please call the centre on 4751 3033.

Due to popular demand the Mountain Devils square dancing group are running another eight-week new dancer program with caller, David Todd. The first introductory night is free and is followed by another seven weeks of basic instruction. The program begin on Monday, August 6 from 7.30pm at Blaxland East Primary School hall. Details: David, 0411 888 515.

Blue Mountains residents are invited to a special retreat day to spend time with the life of J.S. Bach and his music on Saturday, August 11 at Woodford. 

The day will look at Bach’s life history and some of the events that gave rise to his music. It will include listening to some of his compositions that are well-known and loved.

Set in the bush environment of Blue Labyrinth Bush Retreat, the event is presented by John Sheehan who is studying music at the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music. Running from 10am-3.30pm, cost for the event is $30 or $20 concesssion. To register contact info@bluelabyrinth.com.au or phone 4758 7360.

Springwood Bridge Club plays on Monday and Saturday afternoons and Thursday evenings, at Lewin Lodge, Lewin Street, Springwood. Visitors and new players are always welcome. Next round of beginner lessons start soon. For information about lessons and/or playing at the club contact Lee on 0411 825 578.

Results: 12.7.18: 1st - Bunty Mare and Ted McCulloch, 2nd - Kathleen Lynch and Peter Crew.

14.7.18: NS: 1st - Thi Pham and Ted McCulloch, 2nd - Kitty Fowler and Pat Chamberlain. EW: 1st - Lee Andrews and Sheela Sahasrabuddhe, 2nd - Mike Smith and Anne Hawke.

16.7.18: NS: 1st - Maureen Austen and Ted McCulloch, 2nd - Lee Andrews and Peter Wong, 3rd - Dennis Raymond and Ernie Newman. EW: 1st - Sheela Saharabuddhe and Raymond Harding, 2nd - Christine and Kerry Bartlett, 3rd - Tammy and Alan Schwarz.

Play bridge in a friendly, relaxed environment with Glenbrook Bridge Club, which is located at St Finbar's  Glenbrook Catholic Church Hall, 46 Levy Street Glenbrook, on Wednesday evenings at 6.45pm for a 7pm start, Thursday afternoons at 1.15pm for a 1.30pm start and on the third Sunday of the month at 1.15pm for a 1.30pm start.

Players of any age and ability are most welcome and lessons are provided for beginners. For further information please contact Kerrie on 4753 6048 or 0458 536044.

11.7.18: N/S- 1st Peter Lameks and Bob Birch, 2nd Wendy Thompson and Chris Thompson, 3rd Mike Smith and Robyn Smith. E/W- 1st Lois Grassi and Penny Talley, 2nd Kevin Balkin and Gerard Balkin, 3rd Jeremy Leather and Grahame Devrell.

12.7.18: N/S- 1st Alan Schwarz and Tammy Schwarz, 2nd Mike Smith and Robyn Smith, 3rd Alec Gillespie and Ernie Newman. E/W- 1st Pam Clarke and Dianne Harding, 2nd Kerrie Rice and Catherine Gillespie, 3rd Mike Steel and Doug Escott.

15.7.18: N/S- 1st Shirley Hesketh and Robyn Smith, 2nd Kathy Mitchell and Kerry Fitzpatrick, 3rd Shannon Queree and Sandy Boyd. E/W- 1st Tammy Schwarz and Alan Schwarz, 2nd Rhondda Bigland and Roger Bigland, equal 3rd Kerry Bartlett and Christine Bartlett, equal 3rd Robbi O’Brien and Mary Harrison.

18.7.18: N/S- 1st Peter Lameks and Bob Birch, 2nd Peter Wong and Alan Gillespie, 3rd Janet Rannard and Sharon Beavon. E/W- 1st Susan Fookes and Sheela Sahasrabuddhe, 2nd Peter McBride and Mary Thompson, 3rd Kerry Bartlett and Carolyn Fitzpatrick.

19.7.18: N/S- 1st Kelela Allen and Susan Capp, 2nd Kerry Bartlett and Bill Heymans, 3rd Penelope Fell and Shirley Hesketh. E/W- 1st Alec Gillespie and Ernie Newman, 2nd Alan Schwarz and Tammy Schwarz, 3rd Doug Escott and Mike Steel.

The Blue Mountains Bridge Club is situated on the first floor of the Spires Gallery at the top of Leura Mall. Afternoon sessions are 12.45pm every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Evening session is 6.30pm every Monday. All interested are welcome to attend. Beginners'  lessons commence September 6.  For information visit http:/www.bluemountainsbridge.com.au/ or contact Pamela Reeves on 6353 1397 or Evelyn Maguire on 4784 3218.

13.7.18: N/S 1^st Evelyn Maguire and Tony Hudson; 2nd Lynne Honan and Moira Chapman. E/W 1^st Sandy and Harry Luxford; 2nd Dallas Curry and Jos Mathot.

14.7.18: N/S 1^st Lorraine Stacey and Ross Ingram; 2nd Mary Harrison and Kerry Hatswell. E/W 1^st Neil and Christine Cramer; 2nd Lorraine Newson and Alan Moule 

16.7.18: 1^st Rebecca Teakle and Janette Emmerson; 2nd Micki Summers and Margaret Aboud; 3rd Sue Goddard and John Freeman.

19.7.18: 1^st Lorraine Hamilton and Ann Gale; 2nd Ian and Christine Jackson; 3rd Nicky Lumb and Pippy Johnstone.

Blue Mountains Creative Art Centre at Glenbrook is celebrating its 45th birthday by launching the Blue Mountains Art Prize. As the first art centre in the Blue Mountains, it has always been BMCAC’s mission to foster the arts in our community and bring people together to share their creative experiences. All artists are welcome to enter. There are a number of prize categories with the major prize being $1000. Entries close August 18. Details: BMCAC.com.

Founded by Glenbrook resident, Suzanne Ellis, Glenbrook Yoga Space is turning four this year. 

The studio’s philosophy is that yoga is for everyone no matter age, body type or ailment.

“We aim to fill a big gap in the fitness industry – that is providing classes that enable people to work with their body not against it. Our yoga is the antithesis to the ‘no pain – no gain’ mentally that is rife in today’s thinking about exercise. In yoga we begin a process of cultivating self awareness and it’s that awareness that leads us to looking after our bodies and our wellness,” said Ms Ellis.

The studio has something for everyone including classes for pre-schoolers, kids, teens and seniors, for backcare, weight loss, restorative, cancer care and general hatha classes.

For more details visit www.glenbrookyoga.com.au or call 0413 923 791. The studio is currently taking bookings for Term 3.

The Widows Circle, a support group for new and not-so-new widows, meets each Monday in Mount Riverview at 3pm. The meetings are free to University of the Third Age (U3A) members. For further information or to enrol email mimiwellisch@bigpond.com or call 0431 682 137.

Choral Evensong will be sung at St Alban’s Church, Leura on Sunday, July 29 commencing at 5pm. All welcome.

The Blackheath History Forum is celebrating its 10^th year and will open the 2018 program with author, publisher and editor Phillipa McGuinness, who will be speaking about her new book 2001 The Year Everything Changed. Join us to hear the always entertaining Phillipa Mcguinness, and see if you can remember everything that changed in 2001. The talk will be held at Blackheath Public School, corner of Leichhardt St and Great Western Highway, on Saturday, August 4, starting at 4pm with afternoon tea available from 3.30pm. Entry $5 at the door. For more details and the rest of our program visit https://blackheathhistoryforum.org.au.

Learn how to make ricotta, paneer and haloumi in a fun, one-day, hands-on workshop. Taking place from 10am-4pm the workshop includes lunch (made from your very own ricotta) as well as afternoon tea. You will receive loads of information, course notes, and will leave with your hand-made haloumi, ready to eat. Course costs $95 per person, with six places available per workshop. Smaller groups also catered for as required. Next available workshops on August 4 and 18. For further information contact CheeseCultureKtown@gmail.com or phone Karin 0425 256 053.

The next meeting of the Blackheath and District Horticultural Society will be held on Thursday, August 2 from 10am at the Lodge, Campbell Rhododendron Gardens, Bacchante Street, Blackheath. Guest speaker will be Liz Benson who will be speaking about banksias. The meeting includes the mini flower show. Please bring a plate to share for morning tea or a gold coin donation. Visitors and new members are very welcome. Call 4787 7539 for further information.

​The next meet-up for the Blue Mountains Camino group will be held on Saturday, July 28 at 4pm at Glenella Guesthouse, 56 Govetts Leap Rd, Blackheath.  Everyone is welcome to come talk, share and learn about the Camino and activities of the group such as pilgrim dinners, movie nights and self-guided walks.  There is a $5 charge for afternoon tea and coffee.

Prior to the Camino Meet-up, there will be a walk departing from Glenella to Govetts Leap Lookout and along the scenic clifftop route to Evans Lookout and return to Glenella. Meet at Glenella Guesthouse at 11.30am for 11.45am start, bring water and something to eat, wear warm clothes and bring a wind/rain jacket The group will return in time for the 4pm Camino Meet-up at Glenella.

More details: Facebook page, bluemtnsaustcaminosupporters; email  info@bluemountainscamino.com or visit the website, bluemountainscamino.com.

Child loss grief support group, PAFFS (Parents And Families Finding Strength), will meet on Saturday, July 21 from 11.30am–1.30pm at room 2 level 2, Town Centre Arcade, 81–83 Katoomba Street, Katoomba NSW. For more details contact Becky on 0438 464 824.