Gresford District - Australian Hunter Valley

News and Upcoming Events

Winter has settled into the valleys of the Gresford district. Mountain tops disappear into the clouds and the first snow isn't far away. It's a great time to enjoy an invigorating bush walk then a delicious meal and a glass of superb local wine in front of a crackling fire.

Visitors can enjoy local produce, historic sites and beautiful country vistas. Remember to bring an esky so you can take back some real country beef - remember the way that a good steak used to taste? The local olive oil, wines and farm produce are also top class.

There's plenty to see and do in the Gresford district and it's all without large scale developments or bus loads of tourists. Visiting the Gresford district is like taking a step back in time. The pace of life is a little slower - the locals like it that way. But you won't miss out on modern, quality accommodation and service. It's intimate, friendly and genuine.

On your way to the Tops, . . . .enjoy the Gresford district!

NEWS	*SPECIAL EVENT*
A New Business To Please The Palate Twin Rivers Café has opened in Park Street, East Gresford to offer locals and visitors additional dining options or a delicious cuppa. Gresford Local Traders is pleased to announce Twin Rivers Café as its Business of the Month. The café opened for business on 7th April this year and proprietor Deborah Faulk has been very pleased with the support offered by locals since. Currently, four ladies are employed part time and Gresford local Kayla Madden is working on a traineeship full time. Deborah has three young children and has lived locally since 2005. "I really love this area and, once the kids were old enough, I was keen to explore business opportunities. With this lovely old building recently renovated and the chance to serve a market with some growth potential, not to mention the fact that it really suits my family situation, it was an opportunity too good to pass up," said Deborah. Growing up in the Blue Mountains , Deborah had her first taste of the restaurant business in her teens as a waitress and kitchen hand. She then took up a traineeship at La Masion and worked for an extended period at Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, both in the Blue Mountains . Later, Deborah further developed her cooking skills at the 5 star Novotel Langley in Perth , before opening her own business, the Greek Village Restaurant and Great Escape Café, at Nelson Bay . "What I really wanted to do in a café situation was based on cooking real food, not reheating wholesale frozen bits and pieces. Almost all the items on the menu are freshly made; home cooking style. Local pastry chef Amanda Tarrant also makes some of our cakes and tarts. She is a wonderful cook and her Lemon Meringue Pie is to die for!" Deborah is very proud of her own gourmet pies and sausage rolls. These aren't the ordinary gravy and gristle mysteries - as Deb says, "They're big and they're chunky. They'll warm you up on the bleakest winter day. Of course, all of our meat is supplied by Gresford Gourmet Country Meats and that's a big head start to a quality menu." Recently, Deborah has been approached to supply her pies and sausage rolls to businesses outside the local area. While she is examining this proposal, Deb is very happy to maintain her East Gresford base and spoil the locals and visitors with her fresh cooking and great service. With a menu extending from an all day breakfast, through morning teas, light snacks and full hot meals, or just a perfect cup of coffee, Twin Rivers Café has it covered. There are gluten free and vegetarian options and regular specials to enjoy. Special requests are also catered for. Deborah is also pleased to cater for any function and the café is available for private functions outside normal hours. For bookings or special orders, Deborah can be contacted at the café or on 4938 9200. "What I've been really impressed with since I started the café, has been the attitude of so many local business people. Local businesses are looking to make things happen - not just expect that customers will stroll through their doors. It's an active, positive group and I look forward to working with them in the future. It looks like there are some exciting plans being developed." "I'd like to thank everyone who has come into the café - my welcome has been warm. For those who haven't tried us out yet, come in and give us a try. I'm confident you'll be back," added Deborah. And Deborah's confidence is justified. The combination of city quality coffees and country cooking and service is hard to resist. What a great place to bring your visitors - they'll enjoy the best of both worlds!	ANZAC Day in Gresford The annual commerative service was attended by 60 school children, over 250 people and 20 veterans, showing that the ANZAC spirit is still very much alive in the district. Earlier, a record number of 150 people attended the dawn service at Paterson with many enjoying the dawn breakfast at Paterson Tavern. Following the Gresford service, over 80 members and guests enjoyed a delightful luncheon supplied by the women's auxiliary. This was followed by the traditional two-up in the afternoon.
Gresford Show 2009 Gresford Show continues to be the most celebrated , most fun and most inclusive event in our district. Locals, visitors, mums, dads and kids, cowboys and cowgirls, camp drafters, dodgem darters, post splitters, hard hitters and knitters, all come together to celebrate the theatre that is our show. Thanks go, as always, for the massive effort put in by all organisers and helpers - congratulations on another superb show! The men at the gate. Don Chesworth, David Horn & Martin Addison Hoof and Hook Competitors Ribbons being presented. Pet Parade Awards Angora Goats Exhibit Poultry Exhibit Arts and Crafts Pavilion Camp Drafting Camp Draft place getters (4 photos above) The Grand Parade Angus Dent showing his skills in the Post Splitting event. Post Splitting Dog Drafting Kel, one of the helping hands at the BBQ kitchen. Women's Tug-o-War The Lostock team in action in the popular Tug-o-War event. Two competitors of the Ag bike demonstration event - Scott Russell & Angus Hipwell. Always plenty of fun for the kids.	Good Old-Fashioned Family Fun at the Gresford Billy Cart Derby Easter Saturday, 11th April Montanna Groves-Showman hurtles down the ramp. The carts race down the hill at speed. Stacked it! There was some creative cart design on display. Keith & Rod manning the chocolate wheel. Sally Harris has her throw in the Gum Boot toss. Amusements for the kids. Plenty of street stalls to browse. Team Jamo preparing for their next race. Overall Champion Allison Cox. Andrew Badgery & 2nd place winner James Nicole. Barbara presents Senior Champion Phil McGrath with his award. There's always a clean-up to do. Thanks to the major sponsors: Addison Partners

Gresford Local Wins Prize Pack Sharon Hill, of Gresford, has been drawn as the lucky winner in the Gresford Local Traders Business of the Month promotion at Gresford Gourmet Country Meats. Sharon has been buying her meat locally since Greg Schreiber opened the store. "We're regulars here - the meat is far better than what you get at the big supermarkets and shopping locally is so convenient, especially when you have a young family in tow. And all the kids love the free lollipops on Greg's counter." "The service here is always great, especially when Jane serves you - she always has a smile. This is hands down the best butcher shop in town!" "The prize pack is really nice. I can't remember the last time I won anything. I'd like to thank Greg and congratulate him on this competition. It's great to see local businesses having a go," said Sharon . Sharon 's prize included an electric frypan, a set of knives with block, clock, apron and cap values at $400. Greg and staff are now busy planning their next big promotion. Keep your eyes peeled and, in the meantime, get into Gresford Gourmet Country Meats and sample some great products and great service.	Winner Sharon Hill with Gresford Gourmet Country Meats apprentice butcher Jane Worth.