The What Do You Like About Mudgee? competition draw for two 50" LG HD televisions was drawn today on 1449 2MG and 93.1 Real FM.
Drawn by well known Mudgee identity Col Matthews, the winners were Lloyd & June Potts and a very happy Kaye Green.
We thank everyone that participated and took the time to let us know what they like about Mudgee.
We will now use your comments in promoting this magnificent region to potential investors and lifestylers who are thinking of relocating.
A generous gift of land has allowed Lifeskills Mudgee to move ahead with plans for a new $2 million home for their services to people with disabilities.
Resiland Pty Ltd director Hugh Bateman last week presented Lifeskills management committee chairman Bruce Walker with the deeds to a $150,000 property at the corner of Lions Drive and Broadhead Road.
The donation from Mr Bateman and Resiland co-director David Brayshaw will allow Lifeskills to seek State and Federal Government funding to relocate their offices and premises to Lions Drive.
Mr Walker said LifeSkills, which currently provides services for 30 clients with intellectual and physical disabilities, was extremely grateful for donation.
Mr Walker said the Perry Street premises Lifeskills had rented since 1991 were old and unsuitable for renovation.
“Some years ago we did some planning and it was obvious there was a need for a purpose-built building to serve people with disabilities, which is our purpose,” he said.
“Since 2008, we have been working towards the goal of building our own premises and this donation gives us the kickstart that makes it possible to reach that goal.
“We have been able to buy the block next to the donated block and we are receiving support from other organisations and service clubs that will help us progress further towards that goal.”
In addition to seeking government funding, Lifeskills is undertaking community fundraising with the assistance of groups such as Rotary and Lions.
Mr Walker said local architect Barbara Hickson had drawn up plans for the new building and a development application was already before Mid-Western Regional Council.
The building will include training rooms, a craft room, woodwork room, therapy room, computer rooms and a semi-commercial kitchen to be used to teach food preparation.
The building will also include four bedrooms for respite care clients and a staff bedroom.
Mr Walker said when completed, the Lifeskills building would be the only purpose-built facility for people with disabilities in the Mid-Western Region.
Unlike the Perry Street building, which is on a steep embankment, the new premises will be fully accessible for people with disabilities.
Depending on the availability of funding, the building could be ready within two years, Mr Walker said.
“Securing the land really was the first step that kick started the whole process,” he said.
Mr Walker as well as improving services to people with disabilities, the new building would provide better working conditions for Lifeskills’ 20 staff.
Here’s your chance to see a real auction pro in action, The Property Shops Principal Hugh Bateman peformed his services recently at an antique charity auction in Mudgee.
Just watch the man go!!!
Mid-Western Regional Council has recommended that a further offer of $4.5 million(plus GST) be made to buy Stockland Property’s site in the Mudgee CBD.
Council voted in February to make a final offer of $4.3 million for the Stockland Property site, including a Mortimer Street property formerly owned by Council.
If Council’s offer was not accepted by March 2, Council would not exercise its option to buy back the Mortimer Street property until April 2013.
At Wednesday’s corporate services committee meeting, councillors unanimously passed a rescission motion moved by Cr Max Walker and seconded by Mayor Percy Thompson.
In a closed session following the meeting, councillors voted to offer $4.5 million for the entire Stocklands Property site, including the veterinarian’s clinic, Fran’s Fast Food, the Reject Shop and Furniture One.
Subject to approval of the decision by a full meeting of Council, the purchase would be funded by $1.2 million in Section 94 developers’ contributions earmarked for parking, and $3.3 million from reserve funds.
General manager Warwick Bennet would be authorized to negotiate with potential developers for the site.
Council also proposes to employ an urban design architect to develop a concept plan for the site, to include a 200-space car park.
Mayor Percy Thompson said yesterday that Council had always believed that any major new shopping complex should be located in the Mudgee CBD rather than on the outskirts of town and Council’s move to purchase the Stockland Property site would ensure that a large parcel of land remained available within the town .
Cr Thompson said without the 380-space car park which was to have been included in the Stockland development, Council could not wait until 2013 to buy back land for car parking in the town centre.
Cr Thompson estimated that Stockland Property’s decision not to go ahead with the shopping centre development had cost Mid-Western Regional Council about $6 million from lost developers’ contributions, the sale of the land, and the cost of building a carpark that would have been provided by Stocklands.
Story by Robyn Murray Mudgee Guardian
Mar 12
Despite a sensational opening spell of bowling by Daniel Wood, Mudgee High School (MHS) was defeated in the quarter-final of the state-wide schools cricket competition – the Alan Davidson Shield.
A stubborn, gutsy and defiant seventh-wicket stand between Mitch Edwards and Nick Henriques brought the Endeavour Sports High (ESH) back from the brink of defeat.
Cricket mentor of the Endeavour Sports Program Greg Wand was still coming to terms with the four-wicket victory.
“I can’t believe it,” Wand said.
“At the drinks break we were gone. All our top line batsmen failed but it took two young fellas – batsmen seven and eight – to win it.”
At 6 for 45 after Mudgee High’s right-arm quick Wood (4-11) tore through the top order with four wickets, ESH was in strife.
But Edwards (37 not out) – who was given a life early on – and Henriques (44 not out) started to rebuild and after the drinks break, the pair ignited with the willow and smashed MHS’s bowlers.
Henriques especially, the younger brother of NSW Blues all-rounder Moises took exception to MHS quick James McQuiggin, hitting him for three fours in the 34th over.
“It’s the gustiest thing I have ever seen,” Wand said.
A shattered MHS coach Greg Murdoch could not hide his disappointment.
“We had our opportunities to win. We were in a strong position to win, but in the end… it was a massive effort from us,” Murdoch said.
Murdoch thought his team’s total of 9 for 123 was a bit short but with the long grass and slow outfield on Walkers Oval, boundaries proved difficult to come by.
The match was set down for Victoria Park but was transferred to Walkers because the pitch was too wet to play on.
MHS won the toss and elected to bat, and it proved to be ideal as openers Michael Ford (24) and Troy Kenny (32) got the home side to the perfect start.
But once the first wicket fell for 47, MHS collapsed as ESH bowlers M McInnes (3-11) and D Hunt (3-23) bowled tight and steady.
At 9 for 107, Cameron Cox (14 not out) steadied the ship at the death and got MHS to a respectable position.
MHS searched for quick wickets paid off thanks to Wood and McQuiggin – EHS lost three wickets in four overs.
EHS continued to lose wickets in clumps until Edwards and Henriques stepped up to the crease.
Story by Ben Harris The Mudgee Guardian
