Merriwa Ringer
END OF AN ERA FOR THE MERRIWA RINGER
Over 40 community members attended a meeting on November 10 to discuss the future of the Merriwa Ringer. The Ringer has played a key role within the community for over 30 years and is highly valued by the community. However, the time has come for the community to take ownership of the Ringer, and determine if it has a future and what that might look like.
Rising costs and greater use of social media has meant that the Ringer is no longer financially viable. The Ringer receives no additional funding other than local advertising and sponsorship and is currently a considerable burden on Merriwa Central School. Several years ago action was taken to reduce the publications costs associated with the Ringer, and consideration given to the introduction of individual sponsorship. However, this model of sponsorship was not supported by the community. As a result the school can no longer cover the loss of producing the community newsletter, currently in excess of $36,000 per year.
Community members attending the meeting recognised it was not fair on the students and parents of Merriwa Central School to be expected to meet these ongoing costs.
The school will sadly cease production of the Ringer next month.
A meeting will be held on Thursday November 25 at 6.00pm at the RSL Club to form a community steering committee to consider the future viability of the Ringer. It is anticipated the committee will review the governance, production and financial operations of the Ringer based on the feedback from the community. All interested community members are invited to attend.
Darren Noonan
Principal
Merriwa Central School
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Merriwa District Progress Association
COUNCILLOR CANDIDATES FORUM
The Merriwa District Progress Association is hosting a forum for the candidates of the Upper Hunter Shire Council election on December 4, 2021 so the local community can better understand what each candidate has to offer the local district.
The Forum will be held at the Merriwa RSL Club at 6.00pm on Wednesday November 24, 2021.
Steve Gowlland
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Merriwa Senior Citizens
The Merriwa Senior Citizens will hold their next meeting this Tuesday, November 23 at 12.30pm in the Squatters Corner of the Merriwa RSL Club. The meeting will be followed by a game of Hoi and a social chat.
New Members are always welcome – a yearly $5.00 membership fee applies.
Covid rules and restrictions still apply. Masks must be worn and those attending must check in. Proof of double vaccination will need to be shown.
Barbara Cronin
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Feast with Friends
DON’T BE ALONE ON CHRISTMAS DAY
The community would like to invite you to a Community Christmas Dinner December 25.
Alone on Christmas day? Come along and share good company with others. If enough interest, we will put on a full Christmas Dinner at 12.30pm on Christmas Day at the Anglican Hall in McKenzie Street.
For catering purposes, please indicate your attendance by Friday December 10 by calling Deidre on 0429 320 821.
We will confirm if it is going ahead in the last Ringer for 2021.
Deidre Peebles
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Merriwa Rotary
WHERE THERE’S A WILL
Our Club President, Rob Goodear and wife Maree recently attended a two day seminar on Youth Mental First Aid, run under the sponsorship of Where There’s a Will.
Both found it very informative and appreciated the great value of spreading the message of the problems of mental illness faced by many in our community.
Rotary Merriwa has been a supporter of Where There’s a Will since the group was formed and will continue to back it.
THE MELBOURNE CUP CALCUTTA AND SWEEP
By the time this Ringer is published, I expect that all remaining prize money will have been distributed. The list of winners is on display in a number of shop windows in Merriwa, as well as having been published in last week’s RINGER.
Our thanks to all who supported our club in this effort. In these Covid19 difficult times, the proceeds will boost our efforts to continue assisting local causes, such as the Angus Peebles Bursary.
Mark Smith
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Carols in the Park
MARK THIS DATE
The Combined Christian Churches of Merriwa would like to hold the Carols in the Park on December 12, 2021 at 6.00pm in Apex Park Merriwa.
Covid19 restrictions may still be in place, so we may have to modify the way we hold the event.
However, please keep this date free.
Ron Campbell
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Merriwa Hospital Auxiliary
CHANGE OF DATE FOR OUR NEXT MEETING
Thursday November 18 will be our next General Meeting to be held at the RSL Club at 2.00pm. All members and community are invited to attend. On the agenda will be fundraising ideas and our Christmas Cheer ideas for the MPS residents. All welcome. Membership fees of $5.00 are due and new members are most welcome. See you Thursday November 18 at 2.00pm.
Elaine Sparrow
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Can Assist
SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE!
Can Assist Merriwa is holding their annual Christmas Ham raffle.
DATE: December 11
VENUE: Merriwa Sports Club
COST: $1.00 a ticket
TICKETS: On sale from 5.00pm for 7.30pm draw.
30 Christmas Ham with more prizes added as the day approaches.
All monies raised go directly to assisting those diagnosed with Cancer in Merriwa and the surrounding settlements. If we can help or if you just need to chat, give us a call on 0431 939 093 or 6548 5191.
Marlene Rogers
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Save the Merriwa Ringer
A meeting has been called to discuss the future of the MERRIWA RINGER publication for November 25 at 6.00pm and will be held at the Merriwa RSL Club.
This is a public meeting and your attendance is important to discuss this important subject would be appreciated.
If the community come together and decides to form a committee to oversee this process then further action to support the ongoing publication of the Merriwa Ringer will occur but it needs your support.
Ron Campbell
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Samaritans Purse Christmas Boxes
COVID isn’t curtailing collecting the Christmas boxes for 2022, in fact with the spread and the effect of the virus on communities, the boxes will be even more necessary.
I have the boxes available, and would encourage anyone who would like to help some of the children who are not as fortunate as we are, to fill a box. To see the joy on the faces of the children, as they receive the gift of the box, brings such joy to the giver. This gift is probably the first they have ever received.
Samaritans Purse send a video to the distributor – that’s how I can say I have seen the joy.
This year the boxes will be going to Madagascar and Cambodia. Boxes will be collected from Merriwa by mid November.
If anyone would like to fill a box or two, please contact me on 0428 485 131 or 6548 5131
Barbara Campbell
St. Davids Uniting Church
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Upper Hunter Shire Council
OFFICE CLOSED – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021
The Upper Hunter Shire Council Merriwa office, including Service NSW and the library, will be closed on Friday, November 19 due to the Picnic Day. The office will reopen on Monday, November 22.
WORKS SCHEDULE
The following construction and maintenance works are happening in Merriwa and Cassilis this week.
• Toilets, garbage
• Parks, sports fields and reserves mowing and maintenance
• Public toilet maintenance
• Cemetery construction of concrete plinths
• Cemetery maintenance
• Merriwa Showground upgrade
• Playground inspections and maintenance
• Capital works tree planting
• Cassilis Hall Maintenance
• Resheeting – Pembroke Road
• Maintenance Grading – Tunbridge Road.
• Heavy patching – Golden Highway
• Cullingral Road – Side tracks
• Scope works for Ringwood Road
• Regional Road shoulder grading for reseals.
• Action requests as required.
The following roads are to be inspected next for the grading/maintenance program:
• Mt Erin Road
• Hampshire Road
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4
Postal voting applications for the NSW local council elections are now open.
Apply now to have your postal pack sent out and vote early. Postal vote applications must be submitted by 5.00pm, Monday, November 29.
Pre-poll voting will also be available at Upper Hunter Shire Council offices across Merriwa, Scone and Murrurundi prior to December 4, 2021.
Pre-polling locations and times:
Scone Administration Centre
22 Nov 2021 – 03 Dec 2021
Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Merriwa Office
29 Nov 2021 – 03 Dec 2021
Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Murrurundi Office
29 Nov 2021 – 03 Dec 2021
Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 4:30pm
To apply for a postal vote or for more information about polling locations, please visit www.elections.nsw.gov.au
KEEPING GRASS MOWED AHEAD OF BUSHFIRE SEASON
With bushfire season rapidly approaching, residents are reminded to remain vigilant and mow long grasses including nature strips and vacant blocks.
There have also been a number of snake sightings and with the recent rains, UHSC is reviewing its mowing maps and adjusting mowing schedules to ensure all Council-owned areas are maintained in a timely manner.
When mowing your nature strip, residents are reminded to mow the length of your property boundary and up to the road boundary.
By continuing to keep all these areas maintained, it will help ensure they are safe for the community.
UHSC thanks you for your co-operation.
PUBLIC NOTICES – HAVE YOUR SAY!
The following public notices are on display at all council offices and can be downloaded from council’s website. Members of the public are encouraged to provide written submissions via:
Email: council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au or
Mail: PO Box 208,
SCONE NSW 2337
PLANNING PROPOSAL PP-2021-5072
Proposed amendment to the Upper Hunter Local Environmental Plan 2013.
The abovementioned planning proposal is to amend the boundaries of the Merriwa Heritage Conservation Area to better reflect the areas of actual heritage significance.
The proposal applies to all land within the Merriwa Heritage Conservation Area. Submissions must be received by close of business, Friday, November 26 2021.
PLANNING PROPOSAL 1/2018
Proposed amendment to the Upper Hunter Local Environmental Plan 2013
Upper Hunter Shire Council has received a modified planning proposal to amend the Upper Hunter Local Environmental Plan 2013 to enable the establishment of a highway service centre at Lots 243 and 244 DP 613258 and Lot 23 DP 562600, 61-79 Aberdeen Street, Scone (refer to figure below).
Submissions must be received by close of business Wednesday December 8 2021.
ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION FEES & CHARGES
Upper Hunter Shire Council is proposing to introduce fees and charges for the supply of Government Information.
Submissions must be received by close of business Wednesday December 8 2021.
Hannah White
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Merriwa RSL Club
The Friday night Members Lucky Badge 7.00pm draw for $380.00 was not won the number was 241, This week it jackpots to $400.00.
The 8.30pm Members Badge draw worth $750.00 was not won the number was 183. This week it jackpots to $800.00.
The 9.00pm Members Badge draw for $280.00 was not won the number was 586. This week it jackpots to $300.00.LTP/19/36118
The Sunday Members Badge Draw for $1650.00 was not won last week the number was 51, this week it jackpots to $1700.00 and will be drawn between 11.30am and 1.30pm and you must be present to win the money. LTP/19/36118
Members must be present to claim any of the draws and present their current membership card upon request. It is an offence to NOT have your membership card on your person when on the premises.
Notice is hereby given that the Merriwa RSL Club LTD Annual General Meeting is to be held on Sunday November 21, 2021 in the Clubs Auditorium at 11.30am.
Wednesday Nights from 6.00pm – $6.00 PINTS.
Dine and Discover vouchers – please register and download or print your vouchers and use them before they expire on November 30, 2021. If you don’t have a smart phone or computer, contact the local Service NSW department at the UHSC Merriwa office.
Saturday nights – free juke box, pool comp$100.00 first prize, $5.00 schooners and house spirits. From 6.00pm till 10.00pm.
Courtesy Bus – the clubs courtesy bus if available for pickups on Friday’s from 5.30pm (you must book by ringing club), with drop offs at 9.15pm and 10.00pm.
HAPPY HOURS
Friday 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Saturday 6.00pm to 10.00pm
Sunday 11.30am to 12.30pm
Bistro hours – lunch Thursday – Sunday 12/2.00pm,
Dinner Monday – Thursday 5.30/7.30pm Friday – Saturday 5.30/8.00pm.
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Merriwa Sports Club
Please note that the club will no longer trade on Mondays for the foreseeable future. Trade on every other day will remain unchanged.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Merriwa Sports Club Annual General Meeting to be held on Sunday November 28 at 11.00am. All members are invited to attend.
SATURDAY NIGHT RAFFLES
Come along and enjoy our Saturday night raffles, 15 prizes up for grabs. The trays and packs are amazing, thanks to Merriwa IGA and Max’s Country Cuts. Raffle begins at 7.30pm. The members draw was drawn on Saturday night, member was not present so the badge draw jackpots to $1075.00 this week. Drawn anytime between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, you must be there to win.
HAPPY HOURS
Friday – 5.00-7.00pm
Saturday – ALL DAY! That’s right, all day happy hours. $5.00 schooners, house spirits and wine. ALL Day. Happy Satdy everyone
CLUB OPENING HOURS
Tuesday to Friday – 3.30pm to close
Saturday and Sunday – 12.00pm to close.
CANASSIST CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
CanAssist will be holding a BIG Christmas Raffle on December 11. Lots of great prizes up for grabs! Hope to see you all there.
Brendan Cowell
