Clarence Valley News

Church clocks up 100 years

Published

1 year ago

20 July 2023

Liam

Outside of the 100 year old Uniting Church in Grafton

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Church clocks up 100 years

By Tim Howard

For exactly 100 years the Uniting Church building at 126 Prince St, Grafton has provided a focal point for worshippers from its distinctly unchurch-like premises and last week decided to throw open its doors for a three-day bash to celebrate its centenary.

Chair of the Church Council Dennis Ford said for six months a dedicated team of the congregation, led by Chris Cormack and including his wife, Linda, have worked continually to put together the celebration of the church.

It culminated on Sunday’s service with around 100 in the church for the Sunday service, followed by a celebratory lunch.

“It’s about 40 more than we would normally get on a Sunday,” Mr Ford said.

From Friday the church was open to the public to explore a collection of antique furniture from its past, photographs and the highlight of the exhibition, a collection of wedding dresses from members of the congregation.

A elderly Lady standing next to an old wedding dress in the 100 year old uniting church in Grafton.

LInda Ford, who was married in the Uniting Church building to husband Dennis, was one of a number of the congregation who brought in their wedding dresses. Linda’s mother and sister’s dresses were also on display.

Mr Ford’s wife, Linda, brought in her wedding dress, worn when was married in 1971. In addition she brought in her mum’s dress as well as her wedding photograph.

“One of my two sisters brought in her wedding dress too,” she said.

The collection drew admiration from the community who provided a steady stream of patrons over the three days.

Mr Ford said the building, originally built by the Methodist Church and opened on July 14, 1923, provided an insight into the history of the Uniting Church in Australia.

“On the foundation stone it says the Minister at the time as Rev A E (Alfred Edgar) Walker,” Mr Ford said.

“He had this strong belief the church should be a part of the community and business life in the community and the building’s design should reflect this.”

The Rev A E Walker was the father of Sir Alan Walker, the founder of Lifeline and Superintendent of the Wesley Mission.

“They ran the Mission out of the old Lyceum Theatre in Sydney and you could see with the hall in Grafton where that idea came from,” Mr Ford said.

“Before the church was renovated in 1975 it had a long sloping floor down to the alter, much like a theatre.”

Sunday’s congregation were also given a treat when a popular former minister Noel Mansfield, minister from 1979 to late 1988, led the service.

“It was a great honour and it felt great to be back in Grafton,” he said.

“It brought back memories my time here when we had a great team of people who worked together to do the church’s work.

“The church played a significant part in the life of the community. We had the largest youth group in the community at that time.”

A group of elderly people standing at a collection of antiques at the 100 year old uniting church in Grafton.

Key people involved in the celebration of Uniting Church’s 100 years, chair of the Uniting Church Council Dennis Ford, Linda Ford, event organiser Chris Cormack, former minister Noel Mansfield and Ron Watson.

Mr Ford said the former minister was very fondly remembered by in the church.

“Getting him to lead the service encouraged a lot of people to come along today to be part of it,” he said.

While Mr Mansfield was delighted to attend, he has been cutting back his public appearances.

“Noel was leading a service down on the South Coast and told them that this was it, his last service,” Mr Ford said.

“Then three days later I rang and asked him to be come to Grafton and he said yes. But this might be the last time.”

Mr Ford said that while it had been a lot of fun celebrating the church building’s birthday, the church was really the people who gathered to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“That’s the biggest deal of all,” he said.

The modern building is still a hive of activity in the community, he said.

In addition to its function as the Uniting Church it’s become the headquarters for the local Salvation Army.

“They’ve operating from here since the floods damaged their building around in Oliver St,” he said.

“And the Fijian berry pickers that came here have asked if they can hold services here with their own minister, which of course we said yes to.

“They’ve been great and we’ve really enjoyed all their great music and singing.

“The building’s been put to a lot of good uses.”

For more Grafton news, click here.

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Clarence Valley News

Community group’s council audit delayed

Published

3 days ago

24 July 2024

Liam

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Community group’s council audit delayed

By Tim Howard

A community group supposedly the target of a Clarence Valley Council audit in February 2024 over the cost of its interactions with council has pointed out the audit has not been completed. The General Manager, Laura Black commented, “I anticipate it will take a couple of months.”

The secretary of Yamba Community Action Network (YambaCAN), Lynne Cairns, said this week’s council business paper included a report, Council Meeting Checklist – update on actions taken.

The report revealed staff had not completed the action, the result of a council resolution at the February 2024 council meeting.

“On page 175 of the business paper there is a note next to the item,” Ms Cairns said.

“It reads: ‘Staff responsible for collating information have been diverted to prepare and respond to legal action taken against council by an executive member of YambaCan’.”

Ms Cairns said this was incorrect as no-one on the YambaCAN executive had taken legal action against the council.

She was aware of some matters concerning the council a member of YambaCAN had taken to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

“These matters were not matters concerning YambaCAN and the member who brought them was not acting for YambaCAN,” Ms Cairns said.

“I’m concerned this is some disinformation that somehow YambaCAN is responsible for delaying council’s investigation of its actions.

“YambaCAN is requesting an apology from council for the incorrect information in the business paper.”

The resolution read: that the general manager advises, by way of a report the:

1. allocation of resources required to respond to GIPAs submitted by YambaCan since January 2022.

2. allocation of resources required to respond to RFI (Request for Information) submitted by YambaCan since January 2022.

3. any cost implications of delays to delivering the Yamba Community Precinct project since January 2022.

The matter was passed 5-4, but debate was fiery.

Cr Karen Toms brought it as a notice of motion to alert the public to the costs the group’s GIPA requests and requests for information were incurring.

But other councillors said these costs were part of council operating openly and transparently.

Cr Greg Clancy was concerned the motion focused on just one group when council records showed it was responsible for a fraction of the requests.

“As seen in the listing of GIPA applications on council’s website, there are 22 GIPA applications and only six of these refer to YambaCAN,” he told the February meeting.

He also revealed YambaCAN had lodged a request for information, however were informed that there were 290 requests for information previously lodged by others that were waiting to be processed.

Ms Cairns was concerned that with the council going into caretaker mode on August 16, ahead of the September local government elections, council could not effectively decide on the matter.

There will be report on the outcome of this matter and other matters at council in next week’s edition of The Northern Rivers Times.

For more Yamba news, click here.

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Clarence Valley News

Clarence Valley Country Muster

Published

1 week ago

17 July 2024

Liam

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Clarence Valley Country Muster

If you are missing the country sounds from Tamworth, fret not, as the Clarence Valley Country Muster is just around the corner.

Expanded from two days to four, the event will start on July 25^th and go to July 28^th at 11 Coulters Lane, Ulmarra, near Grafton.

You will enjoy artists such as Jade Hurley, John, Lloyd, Jack Watson, Lindsay Waddington and Jamie Davis.

Special guest artists, Paul Ricketts, Winner of the Thornton Young Award and Nay McAplin, Winner of the Walk Ups in July, will also make an appearance.

Your comperes for the main stage will be Terry Gordon OAM and Ken ‘Chainsaw’ Lindsay.

And bring those nerves with you, as from 10.30am on Thursday, aspiring artists can take their turn on the microphone, with John Lloyd hosting the walk-ups.

All acts will be vying for a gig at next July’s event.

Now is the time to grab a group of friends or family members and book your spot by heading to their website www.cvcmuster.com.au or calling Wendy Gordon on 0432 741947.

Gates open for early arrival at the muster site on Tuesday, July 23.

For $120 per person, you can enjoy a full week of camping, camaraderie and entertainment at one of the best value-for-money festivals in the Clarence Valley.

Check out is Tuesday, July 30.

If you have a fire pit, bring it along as wood will be supplied.

There will be songs around the campfire, best dressed Christmas and party games and a big finale on the Sunday.

For more local Clarence Valley news, click here.

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Clarence Valley News

NSW BUDGET: NOTHING FOR RICHMOND AND CLARENCE VALLEYS COST OF LIVING CRISIS, BUT SOME WINS

Published

4 weeks ago

27 June 2024

Liam

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NSW BUDGET: NOTHING FOR RICHMOND AND CLARENCE VALLEYS COST OF LIVING CRISIS, BUT SOME WINS

The NSW Labor Government’s 18 June Budget does nothing to alleviate the growing cost of living problems in the Richmond and Clarence Valleys, although there is some good news for the region, according to Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson.

“Everywhere I go, every local I talk to, they all say the same thing: we’re struggling with rising costs – why isn’t the Government helping?” Mr Williamson said.

Mr Williamson said that he was all for working cooperatively with the Government, but there was mounting evidence Sydney Labor is “out of town, out of touch and the budget is out of control”.

“Calls to reinstate the $250 fuel card for regional seniors, students and apprentices have fallen on deaf ears, but Sydney seniors now enjoy $2-a-day Gold Passes on Sydney’s massive and massively subsidised public transport system as well as toll relief for Sydneysiders,” Mr Williamson said.

“Calls to save the Ulmarra ferry from Labor’s axe met a similar fate, at the same time as Labor is buying a fleet of new ferries for Sydney and took over another Sydney ferry service that has lower patronage than Ulmarra to Southgate.”

Mr Williamson did acknowledge the Government’s ongoing funding of the previous Liberals and Nationals Government’s Grafton Base Hospital rebuild, the allocation of $6.2m in the fight against White Spot disease in local rivers as well as a “welcome” $90m boost for the Resilient Homes Program, following the 2022 floods.

“These are crumbs compared to what Labor is lavishing on its Sydney heartland,” Mr Williamson cautioned.

“The Richmond and Clarence Valleys provide the timber for Sydney homes, the beef for Sydney dinners as well as the sugar and milk for Sydney cappuccinos.

“That needs to be acknowledged and we deserve our fair share,” Mr Williamson concluded.”

For more Richmond Valley news, click here.

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