MyLithgow.com - HARTLEY BIG BACK YARD

Citizen writes "The valley of Hartley, where, a hundred and fifty years ago, shale was mined for its kerosene content, and which subsequently became famous for the quality of the apples it produced, has once again found fame; this time in its people. The shale mining is no more, the apples have
declined, but in their place over the past ten to fifteen years, acreages have been subdivided and people from many dfiferent places with many skills have come to settle and create their own interpretations of rural living.

As well as miners, orchardists and cattle breeders, artists, apiarists, alpaca breeders, metal workers, musicians, gem collector plant breeders, straw bale builders, permaculturalists, writers and all manner of other diverse and interesting people with passion and creativity have been attracted to the rugged beauty of this valley to build their homes and to enrich this
community.
In celebration of the recent changes within the population and with gentle humour, a day of sharing who we are and what we do was conceptualised as The Hartley Big Backyard. Now in its ninth year the Big Backyard has built a reputation as a great day out.
Organised and run by the Hartley District Progress Association it showcases the people and pursuits of Hartley and beyond. Held each year on the final Sunday in October, this year the 26th, the gates of the Old Hartley School on the corner of Great Western Highway and Mid Hartley Road open at 9am and for only a gold coin donation, a day of interest and entertainment for the family extends until 4pm.

As well as our regular and popular displays of alpacas, goats, pigs, poultry, and plants, there will be a wide variety of stalls from local artists and crafts people, as well as information displays and
presentations on a range of opics of relevance to thsoe new to the rural lifestyle who wish to know more about appropriate land use and lifestyle skills in times of environmental and economic change. The Hartley Progress Association will be catering, providing eliciouis home made cakes and scones, sandwiches, and the essential sausage sizzle as well as teas, coffees and cold drinks.
There will be entertianment for children an adutls of all ages throughout ther day.

And all this is available for just a scenic car ride to beautiful Hartley Valley and a small donation.
When & Where: 9am Sunday October 26, at Old
Hartley School, corner of Great Western Highway and
Mid Hartley Road.

General enquiries Carol Crossman Ph: (02)
6355 2088;

Enquiries about animals Pam Day Ph: (02)
6355 2114; For information about running stalls on the
day Diane Green Ph: (02) 6355 2174, or e-mail
greenoak at tpg.com.au.

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