SYDNEY MORNING HERALD - 21 MARCH 2019
WHIP SMART: TOP TEACHERS SHARE SIMILAR TRAITS
Being an enthusiastic reader, “stickability”, discipline and practical skills are essential for teaching, former teacher-turned-whip maker Robin Wills believes. And of course passion in huge dollops. Wills, an adult educator for 40 years, first came to Australia in 1955 as an assisted migrant – a 'five-pound Pom'.
Whip maker Robin Wills. CREDIT:DAVID ROMA
By the time he was 19, he’d become a station hand, learning to horse ride, muster sheep, press wool and break in horses before turning to droving, at the same time learning how to crack a stockwhip to control cattle.
Travelling to the UK to train polo ponies, he met Argentinian gauchos who taught him how to plait and make simple knots for whips. But a few years later when he and his wife, Judy, were working as driver and cook with a team of geologists in Queensland, one of them asked him: “Mate, when are you going to do something with your brain?”
So he entered university as a mature-age student and qualified as a teacher, teaching primary school for 10 years. But during his long-service leave he was offered tutoring in literacy in the faculty of teacher education at Charles Sturt University at Bathurst.
He later acquired a master’s degree, researching the implementation of the curriculum in small one or two-teacher schools in NSW.
He found that, on the whole, the teachers altered and tweaked the curriculum in what he describes as “wonderful schools, just the place you’d like to send your kids”, where many of his students went on to teach.
With his life “working in 10-year cycles” he attained a full-time lecturing position in literacy in the faculty of education at the University of Tasmania in Launceston, and completed a PhD on single-sex classes in government schools.
At the time, some primary schools were experimenting by segregating particular classes by gender in years five and six. They found teachers usually concentrated on the girls who were much more vocal than the boys, while the boys considered reading and writing “girls’ stuff”. But in all-boy classes, the boys became much more curious and open about learning.
Returning to Bathurst and working as a learning skills adviser at CSU, he found many of the mature-entry students came from challenging socio-economic backgrounds and hadn’t completed high school. Nevertheless, they were enthusiastic readers, who had jobs in a variety of areas.
“The single mothers who have battled through raising children and find they can still get on with their children … have proved to be incredible teachers,” he says. “They’ve got the gumption to be able to stay with something despite the fact it doesn’t provide an instant reward.”
Male teachers are still in great demand, whether in primary or secondary schools. Wills has found many young men prefer to teach in single-teacher schools where they’re their own boss. Skills needed include careful planning, thoughtful problem-solving and being able to handle difficult people.
Since retiring, Wills has returned to plaiting and learnt how to make stock whips with his latest challenge a four plait cow-hide whip that feels as though it will crack by itself. He sells them at local markets and the Bathurst Heritage Trail.
He says “people who are passionate about their work, those who really enjoy doing it are usually good at it". “So, find what you really enjoy doing and give it all you’ve got. I think that I have done that.”
LINK
Travelling to the UK to train polo ponies, he met Argentinian gauchos who taught him how to plait and make simple knots for whips. But a few years later when he and his wife, Judy, were working as driver and cook with a team of geologists in Queensland, one of them asked him: “Mate, when are you going to do something with your brain?”
So he entered university as a mature-age student and qualified as a teacher, teaching primary school for 10 years. But during his long-service leave he was offered tutoring in literacy in the faculty of teacher education at Charles Sturt University at Bathurst.
He later acquired a master’s degree, researching the implementation of the curriculum in small one or two-teacher schools in NSW.
He found that, on the whole, the teachers altered and tweaked the curriculum in what he describes as “wonderful schools, just the place you’d like to send your kids”, where many of his students went on to teach.
With his life “working in 10-year cycles” he attained a full-time lecturing position in literacy in the faculty of education at the University of Tasmania in Launceston, and completed a PhD on single-sex classes in government schools.
At the time, some primary schools were experimenting by segregating particular classes by gender in years five and six. They found teachers usually concentrated on the girls who were much more vocal than the boys, while the boys considered reading and writing “girls’ stuff”. But in all-boy classes, the boys became much more curious and open about learning.
Returning to Bathurst and working as a learning skills adviser at CSU, he found many of the mature-entry students came from challenging socio-economic backgrounds and hadn’t completed high school. Nevertheless, they were enthusiastic readers, who had jobs in a variety of areas.
“The single mothers who have battled through raising children and find they can still get on with their children … have proved to be incredible teachers,” he says. “They’ve got the gumption to be able to stay with something despite the fact it doesn’t provide an instant reward.”
Male teachers are still in great demand, whether in primary or secondary schools. Wills has found many young men prefer to teach in single-teacher schools where they’re their own boss. Skills needed include careful planning, thoughtful problem-solving and being able to handle difficult people.
Since retiring, Wills has returned to plaiting and learnt how to make stock whips with his latest challenge a four plait cow-hide whip that feels as though it will crack by itself. He sells them at local markets and the Bathurst Heritage Trail.
He says “people who are passionate about their work, those who really enjoy doing it are usually good at it". “So, find what you really enjoy doing and give it all you’ve got. I think that I have done that.”
LINK
LITHGOW MERCURY - 23 OCT 2018
Tarana farmers markets TO HAVE ANIMAL NURSERY FOR KIDS
There will be an animal farm for everyone to enjoy. Picture: CIARA BASTOW
The Tarana Community farmers Market will be held again this Sunday, October 28 from 10am until 2pm at the Rural Fire Service shed in Tarana.
This month's feature will be an animal nursery with lots of spring babies to see and cuddle. Regular stall holders will have locally grown beef, lamb and duck, fresh fruit and vegetables, jams and preserves, bread and honey, cheese and wine, homemade cakes and pies for sale.
The food court in the shed will have delicacies to tempt your taste buds. Freshly brewed coffee and hot food will be available all day to enjoy whilst taking advantage of the shady umbrellas and listening to music from local buskers.
Market Coordinator Lynne Webb said it is worth taking the picturesque drive to Tarana and helping farmers by purchasing some local product and have a great day out.
LINK
This month's feature will be an animal nursery with lots of spring babies to see and cuddle. Regular stall holders will have locally grown beef, lamb and duck, fresh fruit and vegetables, jams and preserves, bread and honey, cheese and wine, homemade cakes and pies for sale.
The food court in the shed will have delicacies to tempt your taste buds. Freshly brewed coffee and hot food will be available all day to enjoy whilst taking advantage of the shady umbrellas and listening to music from local buskers.
Market Coordinator Lynne Webb said it is worth taking the picturesque drive to Tarana and helping farmers by purchasing some local product and have a great day out.
LINK
LITHGOW MERCURY - 21 AUG 2018
Tarana farmers markets will have blacksmith demonstrations
Picture: Courtesy of the Tarana Community Farmers Markets.
The Tarana Community Farmers Market will be held on Sunday, August 26 at the Fire Shed in Tarana from 10am to 2pm.
The demonstration for this month is Dave ‘The Village Blacksmith’ Walker who will be using traditional methods to show the ancient art of the blacksmith.
He will also be sharpening knives for audience members to witness.
Regular stallholders will be showcasing local beef, lamb and duck, seasonal fruit and vegetables, bread and honey, wines and port, Greek sweets and chocolate, jams and preserves, salami and olive oil, homemade cakes and pies.
The demonstration for this month is Dave ‘The Village Blacksmith’ Walker who will be using traditional methods to show the ancient art of the blacksmith.
He will also be sharpening knives for audience members to witness.
Regular stallholders will be showcasing local beef, lamb and duck, seasonal fruit and vegetables, bread and honey, wines and port, Greek sweets and chocolate, jams and preserves, salami and olive oil, homemade cakes and pies.
Earlier this month Lynne Webb and Fay Shaw received a cheque to landscape around the Tarana bush fire brigade shed. Picture: CIARA BASTOW.
The Tarana Bush Fire Brigade will put on a barbecue with bacon and egg rolls available all day, along with two freshly brewed coffee outlets.
Market coordinator Lynne Webb said come and enjoy the music from the Tarana Tigers, catch up with friends and support the Tarana Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade.
LINK
Market coordinator Lynne Webb said come and enjoy the music from the Tarana Tigers, catch up with friends and support the Tarana Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade.
LINK
BEING ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE - 11 AUG 2018
|
We are trying to make our market as environmentally friendly as possible! We are getting new recycling bins soon to help make sure we reduce, reuse & recycle as much as possible!
Here’s what YOU can do to reduce plastic use in your household. You can buy beeswax wraps @ the market and many of our stallholders can use your containers from home to store goods (where appropriate)- just ask them! |
OBERON REVIEW - 25 May 2018
All Roads Lead to Tarana For The MARKETS
The monthly Tarana Community Farmers Market is on Sunday, May 27 from 10am to 2pm at the Rural Fire Shed in Tarana. This month's feature is a farrier who will be demonstrating shoeing a horse from 11am.
The charity stall for May is the Oberon Relay for Life.
Regular stall holders will be on hand selling a variety of locally produced lamb, beef and duck. There will also be fruit and vegetables, honey, jams and preserves, homemade cakes and pies, Greek sweets and chocolates, goat's cheese and bread, olive oil, salami, garden plants and ornaments.
The Tarana Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade will be selling bacon and egg rolls from the barbecue all day. Freshly brewed coffee will be provided from two outlets and The Universal Eatery's famous sausage rolls will be available.
New to the market will be 'Food We Do' with quiches and pastries. Local group The Tarana Tigers will provide the music.
Come along to Tarana, catch up with friends and support the Tarana Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade by buying a ticket in the raffle which is a hamper made up of donations from all the stall holders.
LINK
The charity stall for May is the Oberon Relay for Life.
Regular stall holders will be on hand selling a variety of locally produced lamb, beef and duck. There will also be fruit and vegetables, honey, jams and preserves, homemade cakes and pies, Greek sweets and chocolates, goat's cheese and bread, olive oil, salami, garden plants and ornaments.
The Tarana Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade will be selling bacon and egg rolls from the barbecue all day. Freshly brewed coffee will be provided from two outlets and The Universal Eatery's famous sausage rolls will be available.
New to the market will be 'Food We Do' with quiches and pastries. Local group The Tarana Tigers will provide the music.
Come along to Tarana, catch up with friends and support the Tarana Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade by buying a ticket in the raffle which is a hamper made up of donations from all the stall holders.
LINK
APRIL 2018 MARKET NEWS
Tarana Community Farmers Market has just announced that a charity site will be available at each monthly market from April 2018 onwards. The site does need to be booked ahead of time so please contact us to book your spot. It will be free of charge to registered charities and preference will be given to local groups.
COUNTRY STYLE MAGAZINE - APRIL 2018
Tarana Community Farmers’ Market Featured in April's - 'A month in the country'
|
|
OBERON REVIEW - 21 MARCH 2018
Tarana Community Farmers’ Market oN THIS SUNDAY
Elizabeth Forbes Candles
|
I'LL BE THERE: Uncle Doug's Gourmet Potato stall will be at the Tarana market on Sunday.
|
THE Tarana Community Farmers’ Market will be held this Sunday, March 25 from 10am to 2pm at the Tarana Bush Fire Shed.
Senior Detective Constable Bob Newman from the Chifley Rural Crime Squad will be giving advice and information on how to protect homes and properties from rural crime.
The O'Connell Primary School Band will perform twice during the day, along with the local buskers "The Tarana Tigers".
Seasonal fruit and vegetables will be in abundance, accompanied by local lamb and beef.
Regular stallholders will be there with free-range eggs, home-made cakes and pies, honey and garlic, jams and preserves, olive oil and cheese, sourdough bread, sweets and chocolate, wines and port – to name a few.
The Tarana Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade will have egg and bacon rolls from the barbecue cooking throughout the day and there will be two coffee outlets operating.
Relax under the shady umbrellas for a chat and listen to the buskers, buy a raffle ticket and maybe take home a basket of goodies donated by the stallholders.
LINK
Senior Detective Constable Bob Newman from the Chifley Rural Crime Squad will be giving advice and information on how to protect homes and properties from rural crime.
The O'Connell Primary School Band will perform twice during the day, along with the local buskers "The Tarana Tigers".
Seasonal fruit and vegetables will be in abundance, accompanied by local lamb and beef.
Regular stallholders will be there with free-range eggs, home-made cakes and pies, honey and garlic, jams and preserves, olive oil and cheese, sourdough bread, sweets and chocolate, wines and port – to name a few.
The Tarana Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade will have egg and bacon rolls from the barbecue cooking throughout the day and there will be two coffee outlets operating.
Relax under the shady umbrellas for a chat and listen to the buskers, buy a raffle ticket and maybe take home a basket of goodies donated by the stallholders.
LINK
WESTERN ADVOCATE - 24TH JAN 2018
Tarana Community Farmers’ Market oN THIS SUNDAY
WELCOME: Fay Shaw and Lynne Webb at a recent market.
CARE for a drive this Sunday?
The Tarana Community Farmers’ Market will be held from 10am to 2pm at the Fire Shed in Tarana.
The market will have an Australia Day theme with bush cooking and shearing happening from 11am.
A raffle of a bush knife made by the resident blacksmith, in a leather pouch, will be drawn with the proceeds going to the Tarana Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade.
“Regular stall-holders will have locally grown and made produce for sale including beef and lamb, duck and chicken, vegetables and fruit, free-range eggs, bread, home-made cakes and pies, honey and garlic, jams and preserves, wines, chocolate and sweets, garden plants and ornaments, goat's cheese and salami,” market co-ordinator Lynne Webb said.
“Bacon and egg rolls from the bush fire brigade barbecue and brewed coffee will be available all day.
“The Tarana Tigers will provide music to listen to while relaxing under the shady umbrellas.”
LINK
The Tarana Community Farmers’ Market will be held from 10am to 2pm at the Fire Shed in Tarana.
The market will have an Australia Day theme with bush cooking and shearing happening from 11am.
A raffle of a bush knife made by the resident blacksmith, in a leather pouch, will be drawn with the proceeds going to the Tarana Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade.
“Regular stall-holders will have locally grown and made produce for sale including beef and lamb, duck and chicken, vegetables and fruit, free-range eggs, bread, home-made cakes and pies, honey and garlic, jams and preserves, wines, chocolate and sweets, garden plants and ornaments, goat's cheese and salami,” market co-ordinator Lynne Webb said.
“Bacon and egg rolls from the bush fire brigade barbecue and brewed coffee will be available all day.
“The Tarana Tigers will provide music to listen to while relaxing under the shady umbrellas.”
LINK
MAnifesto Art Exhibition in Tarana - 16/17th DecEMBER 2017
Exhibition opening for works by Bob Green & Adrain Symes will be at The Tarana Hotel on Fri Dec 15th from 7pm. The exhibition will be open all weekend so if you are planning a visit to the markets then why not stop by and see the exhibition at the Tarana Hotel.
Prime7 News Central West - 24th July 2017
Prime7 News Central West ran a segment about the Tarana Community Farmers Market this weekend
LITHGOW MERCURY - 16TH JUNE 2017
Weeds take centre stage at Tarana farMERS MARKET
Tarana’s farmers markets will be playing a role in the eradication of weeds.
Upper Macquarie County Council will be making a special presentation to the patrons of the market, as the local control authority for noxious weeds in the Bathurst, Blayney, Lithgow and Oberon councils.
“Weeds are a major threat to our unique natural environment, threatening the survival of hundreds of native plants and animals,” Cr Geoff Braddon, chairman of Upper Macquarie County Council said.
“Weeds also impact on the price of food, human health through allergies and asthma, recreational activities and the economy.”
Cr Braddon said serrated tussock and blackberry were the two main problem weeds in the region but there were also many others and the staff wound be on hand at the farmers’ market day to provide advice to the landholders.
“It is also wonderful that we have been able to get the use of the Macquarie Valley Weeds Advisory Committee weeds trailer for the day, which is a great resource for us to promote our cause,” he said.
The stand will operate at the Tarana Community Farmers’ Market on Sunday, June 25 from 10am to 2pm at the Tarana Fire Shed.
More information on noxious weeds and their control can be found on at umcc.nsw.gov.au.
LINK
“Weeds are a major threat to our unique natural environment, threatening the survival of hundreds of native plants and animals,” Cr Geoff Braddon, chairman of Upper Macquarie County Council said.
“Weeds also impact on the price of food, human health through allergies and asthma, recreational activities and the economy.”
Cr Braddon said serrated tussock and blackberry were the two main problem weeds in the region but there were also many others and the staff wound be on hand at the farmers’ market day to provide advice to the landholders.
“It is also wonderful that we have been able to get the use of the Macquarie Valley Weeds Advisory Committee weeds trailer for the day, which is a great resource for us to promote our cause,” he said.
The stand will operate at the Tarana Community Farmers’ Market on Sunday, June 25 from 10am to 2pm at the Tarana Fire Shed.
More information on noxious weeds and their control can be found on at umcc.nsw.gov.au.
LINK
WESTERN ADVOCATE - 21st JAN 2017
Tarana market on this Sunday
MARKET: Market co-ordinator Lynne Woods and Graham Fletcher
THE Tarana Community Farmers’ Market will be held this Sunday in the village east of Bathurst.
The demonstration for January will be sheep shearing at 11am and noon.
A wide variety of stallholders will showcase locally grown produce including pork. beef and lamb, organic vegetables, new season’s potatoes, wines and brewed beer, bread, jams and honey, home-baked goodies, free range eggs, garden plants, woodwork and alpacas.
Ruellas coffee and the bushfire brigade bacon and egg rolls will be available all day.
There will be shady umbrellas and seating for those who want to relax and have a chat.
The Tarana Hotel, The Universal Eatery and Longwood Studio are all within walking distance of the market to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy in the village.
The market will be held this Sunday, January 22 at the Tarana Fire Shed from 10am to 2pm.
LINK
The demonstration for January will be sheep shearing at 11am and noon.
A wide variety of stallholders will showcase locally grown produce including pork. beef and lamb, organic vegetables, new season’s potatoes, wines and brewed beer, bread, jams and honey, home-baked goodies, free range eggs, garden plants, woodwork and alpacas.
Ruellas coffee and the bushfire brigade bacon and egg rolls will be available all day.
There will be shady umbrellas and seating for those who want to relax and have a chat.
The Tarana Hotel, The Universal Eatery and Longwood Studio are all within walking distance of the market to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy in the village.
The market will be held this Sunday, January 22 at the Tarana Fire Shed from 10am to 2pm.
LINK
OBERON REVIEW - 13 AUG 2015
FARMERS' MARKETS HEAD TO TARANA
TO MARKET, TO MARKET: Events co-ordinator Lynne Woods and Tarana Volunteer Bushfire Brigade captain Graham Fletcher are putting together a community farmers’ market to be held in Tarana on the fourth Sunday of every month starting September 27. Photo: LOUISE EDDY 081115leoberon
A monthly farmers’ market at Tarana is sure to draw people from across the region who are in search of fresh local produce to the village.
The Tarana Volunteer Bushfire Brigade is gearing up to host the first farmers’ market on September 27.
The Tarana Community Farmers’ Market will be held on the fourth Sunday of every month at the fire shed, just below the popular Tarana Hotel.
It will run from 10am to 2pm to allow everyone a bit of a sleep-in.
The farmers’ market will also serve as a community engagement activity for the brigade which will have a couple of trucks on display. Members will promote the brigade, offer advice and arrange inspections.
Tarana Volunteer Bushfire Brigade captain Graham Fletcher said one of the challenges is always to get more young people involved in the rural fire service.
“We hold a meeting each month, but this will give us a bit more exposure,” Mr Fletcher said.
“We hope people will come to Tarana from all over and take a look at the markets and maybe even stop off for lunch at the pub,” he said.
Events co-ordinator Lynne Woods said they will take all their produce from a 100 mile radius, which is the philosophy behind a farmers’ market.
There will be local milk, cream, eggs, meat products, jams and chutneys, alpaca products, crafts, chickens, and fruit and vegetables in season. There will also be a mobile coffee van, the brigade will be cooking bacon and egg rolls, the wineries will be there and the Universal Eatery will be serving its delicious muffins.
The organisers hope some of the producers who attend the Bathurst Farmers’ Market will also make the drive to Tarana.
A stall at the market will cost $12.50.
Ms Woods said Lithgow Council has been very supportive and a lot of people have already indicated they want to have a stall.
Tarana gets a lot of visitors on the weekend as people drive around the region taking in the sights.
“There’s already a lot of excitement in the community,” Mr Fletcher said.
“We’ve been talking about holding farmers’ markets for years and we have made a decision to keep it local and community-based.”
The Tarana/Oberon area has a good mix of farmers and hobby farmers and the organisers hope this will bring variety to the farmers market.
“More and more people are looking to buy natural products and want to know where the food they buy comes from,” Mr Fletcher said.
Anyone who wants a stall at the Tarana Community Farmers Market can call Lynne on 6337 5867 or email [email protected].
LINK
The Tarana Volunteer Bushfire Brigade is gearing up to host the first farmers’ market on September 27.
The Tarana Community Farmers’ Market will be held on the fourth Sunday of every month at the fire shed, just below the popular Tarana Hotel.
It will run from 10am to 2pm to allow everyone a bit of a sleep-in.
The farmers’ market will also serve as a community engagement activity for the brigade which will have a couple of trucks on display. Members will promote the brigade, offer advice and arrange inspections.
Tarana Volunteer Bushfire Brigade captain Graham Fletcher said one of the challenges is always to get more young people involved in the rural fire service.
“We hold a meeting each month, but this will give us a bit more exposure,” Mr Fletcher said.
“We hope people will come to Tarana from all over and take a look at the markets and maybe even stop off for lunch at the pub,” he said.
Events co-ordinator Lynne Woods said they will take all their produce from a 100 mile radius, which is the philosophy behind a farmers’ market.
There will be local milk, cream, eggs, meat products, jams and chutneys, alpaca products, crafts, chickens, and fruit and vegetables in season. There will also be a mobile coffee van, the brigade will be cooking bacon and egg rolls, the wineries will be there and the Universal Eatery will be serving its delicious muffins.
The organisers hope some of the producers who attend the Bathurst Farmers’ Market will also make the drive to Tarana.
A stall at the market will cost $12.50.
Ms Woods said Lithgow Council has been very supportive and a lot of people have already indicated they want to have a stall.
Tarana gets a lot of visitors on the weekend as people drive around the region taking in the sights.
“There’s already a lot of excitement in the community,” Mr Fletcher said.
“We’ve been talking about holding farmers’ markets for years and we have made a decision to keep it local and community-based.”
The Tarana/Oberon area has a good mix of farmers and hobby farmers and the organisers hope this will bring variety to the farmers market.
“More and more people are looking to buy natural products and want to know where the food they buy comes from,” Mr Fletcher said.
Anyone who wants a stall at the Tarana Community Farmers Market can call Lynne on 6337 5867 or email [email protected].
LINK