Ray Minett from Lansdowne celebrated his 80th birthday recently, with 60 family and friends travelling from as far as Rockhampton to join him for the special event.

Remembrance Day

The Upper Lansdowne Memorial Hall committee’s effort to commemorate Remembrance Day 100 years down the track was greatly appreciated by the community.

Gloria Crittenden did a wonderful job piecing together information about each of the men from Upper Lansdowne who served.

The service photos of the five WW11 servicemen who lost their lives from Upper Lansdowne have been restored and conserved in new frames, with short descriptions of their service.

The community and family members of some of the WW1 servicemen were in attendance at the hall last Sunday.

Knitted poppies were placed in vases on the tables with the servicemen’s histories, and the flowers were later placed along the edges of the path into the hall.

Prior to 11am, Gloria read a short history of the men who served and lost their lives.

The students of the Upper Lansdowne Public School did a terrific job on their posters commemorating the Upper Lansdowne servicemen.

Roger Oliver rang the church bell at 11am, a beautiful wreath was placed under the WW1 memorial board and the poem, ‘In Flanders Field’ was read.

Each of the poppies was planted and then the Ode was recited.

The hall committee provided a sumptuous morning tea, including Anzac biscuits and Devonshire tea which was enjoyed by all.

The connection for Roy and Kay Mills was significant, as Roy’s uncle Eric Fleming lost his life in WW11.

Roy was very impressed with the presentation of the men in the new photo frame.

Heather Minett, wife of Doug Minett, Phyllis Minett, wife of Vic Minett WW11, and Eve Minett were there to connect with those who attended.

They are of the generation which knows the families of those who served in WW11.

Fishing Club

The Fishing pairs big bash was held over the weekend, with 19 teams entering.

First place in Bluewater were Craig Jones and Ken Jones, with a total weight of 23.8kg. Second were Ben Cooper and Nik Hauser with a total weight of 6.9kg, and third were Bruce LaMotte and Mark Spelta with a total weight of 5.2kg.

First in Beach and Rock were Eli Nash and Alex Neale with a total weight of 26kg, with Wayne Reeve and Darren Saxby second, with a total weight of 24kg.

First in Estuary were Peter Hayes and Dan Versluis with a total weight of 14.9kg, second were Greg Chick and William Martin with a total weight of 13.4kg, and third were Jeff Potts and Kym Moore with a total weight of 4.7kg.

The heaviest fish in the Bluewater category was Craig and Ken Jones’ bar cod, which weighted 7.5kg.

The heaviest fish in the Estuary category was caught by Peter Hayes and Dan Versluis, and was a mulloway, weighing 10.3kg.

The heaviest fish in Beach and Rock was caught by Wayne Reeve and Darren Saxby, and was a groper weighing 9.0kg. 

The committee would like to thank all the club’s sponsors and the competitors for making this year’s event a great weekend.

This weekend the Lansdowne Fishing Club will have an outing at North Haven from 9.30am on Saturday, November 17.

A reminder that membership fees are now due.Membership forms are available at the Lansdowne Bowing and Recreation Club.

The Fishing Club’s Christmas party will be held on Sunday, December 9 at Croki. There is a list on the board to put names on if attending.

Tyler’s futsal success

Lansdowne girl Tyler Potts has returned home from playing in the school Champions of Champions Chatham High School futsal team in Brisbane.

As a result of her performance, Tyler was selected as an All Star, and invited to travel to the USA on tour as part of the Australian team for Futsal in July 2019 for 14 days.

Tyler is now looking for a sponsor or some help to raise the money to get her to the USA.

School news

Last Thursday, relieving principal Darren Isaacs of Lansdowne School had the pleasure of accompanying several of the students who were Children’s University Graduates to the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan Campus.

Mr. Isaacs was extremely proud of the students  behaviour as they joined more than 300 students who graduated that evening.

Congratulations to Beau Williams, Cheyenne Witchard, Dekota Witchard, Luke Williams, Chris Morrison, Eliza Morrison, Theo Huber, Quinn Huber and Alana Goodwin.

On Wednesday, November 21 the Lansdowne School will be participating in a Small Schools League Tag Gala Day at Taree Recreation Grounds.

Lansdowne School awards have been presented to a number of students at the recent school assembly.

In class K12, student of the week was awarded to Clayton Radley for showing good problem-solving skills.

Class awards went to Jack Barrass for being a great helper with little learners, and Amitee Pettett for a welcome to Lansdowne Public School.

The fast maths award went to Rhys Currie, six levels in four weeks, and the artist award went to Olivia Steed for her ‘Flower’.

In class 2/3/4, student of the week went to Theo Huber for being an enthusiastic and independent learner.

A class award was given to Christopher Morrison for achieving 175 nights home reading, and also to Eliza Morrison for achieving 175 nights home reading.

The fast maths award went to Kelsey James for setting an excellent standard with bookwork this term.

In class 5/6, student of the week was Aaron Moore for his continued impressive growth in his learning journey.

A class award went to Quinn Huber for being an excellent student with great work ethic, and William Moss for his high achievements in maths.

The artist award went to Connor Potts for his Halloween picture.

Bronze, silver, gold went to Quinn Huber for achieving his second Gold.

Art exhibition

The Lansdowne Community Hall committee will hold an art exhibition and sale over the May long weekend next year.

If successful, this will become an annual event in the Lansdowne Hall each year. 

The committee is looking at holding the first exhibition in May, 2019, however it is still in the planning stages and more information and details will be reported as they are worked out. 

The hall committee will be working with local artist Louise Green to make sure the exhibition is a success.

Nick Charles performance

On Saturday, December 1, a great evening of entertainment is promised at the Upper Lansdowne Memorial Hall when Nick Charles performs.

Nick has been internationally labeled as ‘Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues,’ and has released more than a dozen albums on major Australian and US roots music labels.

His albums have garnered world-wide recognition, from ‘My Place’ to his most recent release ‘The River Flows’.

Nick is signed to the Grammy Award winning label, Solid Air Records USA, one of just two Australians recognised by the label, alongside Tommy Emmanuel. 

The evening will begin at 7pm, with tasty food, tea and coffee available, and an option to bring along your own drinks and nibbles.

Phone Rita on 55916017 for inquiries and bookings.