The Church that would not Die, St Michael the Archangel, Wollombi

Book cover image photographed by Ken Martin.

Launched in Sydney last Tuesday and in Wollombi, NSW on Saturday, The Church that would not Die, St Michael the Archangel, Wollombi is a book about a tiny church with a turbulent past. Flooded many times with the water going over the top of the church in 1893, the church was moved stone by stone by the people of the village and re-built on higher ground. It was damaged in the Newcastle earthquake and then put up for auction on the same day as St Patrick's, Nulkaba. The village went into full defence mode – and the outcome was that the church became the property of a group with Trustees and a committee to oversee day-to-day matters, the Friends of St Michaels.

The church was still a church but it required huge efforts with fundraising for upkeep and restoration ... at one point a dynamited wall led to the discovery of stencilling on the interior walls, which then required restoration. I'm still investigating the provenance of the intriguing stained glass window of St Michael – the likely makers have been narrowed down to a few. I'm on the case. The idea for the beautiful modern leadlight windows by glass artist Margaret Ella was the brainchild of St Michael's treasurer, Mrs Mary Fortey.

Like the church itself, the book is the sum of the involvement of many people. Drawing on a heritage architect paper by James Phillip of Weir Phillips Heritage Architects and research into the auction years by Gael Winnick, I tell stories of those involved with the addition of early chapters regarding the arrival in Sydney of the first Catholics and Bishop Polding who laid St Michael's first foundation stone in 1840. The 'mapping' of emerging Wollombi and the incredible engineering feat of the convict-built Great North Road are also included. Also proud to have handled production and publishing, including design with my company True Blue Cockatoo.

RRP $39.95 (+p&p), published by the ACU, Sydney, the book will be available to buy in Wollombi via St Michael's Church or contact me, info@bluecockatoo.com.au for sales enquiries (proceeds to St Michael's).

Book launch, Grays Inn Garden at Noyce Bothers Wine, Wollombi.

Grays Inna nd Noyce Brothers' cellar door, Panino Caffe, (Now Tabu!), Wollombi Village, NSW.

Collector's Room Opens At Gray's Inn, Wollombi

Image: Defiance Gallery, Collector's Room At Gray's Inn

Stellar Chinese, Indian and African antiquities from the 18th and 19th centuries are the grounding objects at the heart of Gray's Inn, Wollombi, between Noyce Brothers' Wines and Panino Cafe. 

Sydney-siders may be familiar with Defiance Gallery, Newtown and its Director, Campbell Roberston-Swann and may also have visited Defiance Sculpture Park At The Gate Gallery, 2480 Wollombi Road, NSW 2325.

Now Defiance has opened The Collector's Room at Gray's Inn and the busy opening night on 21 April saw red dots appearing on a number of highly desirable pieces. Fear not, new acquisitions will await your every visit whether your mission is to add to a collection, buy a piece for decoration or to satisfy your quest for, say, a Buddha figure with a particular significance – protection, meditation, medicine, teaching, contemplation. 

Love the Collector's Room and also enjoy a tasting of Noyce Brothers Wine (exclusive wine Partners to Defiance Gallery and The Gate Gallery) including the desirable The Directors Prize Shiraz 2009, limited release made from  berries selected by Phillip Noyce. Eat great food at Panino Café, also at Gray’s Inn, and your experience is complete. (Panino Cafe T: 02 4998 3355.)

THE COLLECTOR'S ROOM. Access through *The Noyce Brothers Cellar Door or through Panino's Restaurant at 2884 Wollombi Rd, Wollombi NSW 2325. Opening hours Wednesday - Monday 10.30am - 2.30pm

DEFIANCE SCULPTURE PARK AT THE GATE GALLERY, 2480 Wollombi Road, Wollombi, NSW 2325

The Gate Gallery Directors - Willem van Zanten & Caroline M. van Zanten-Klop

10am - 3pm Fri - Mon or by appointment T+61 (0)-2-4998 3370 

www.thegategallery.com.au

DEFIANCE GALLERY, 47 Enmore Road, Newtown, NSW 2042

Director - Campbell Robertson-Swann   Manager - Lauren Harvey11am - 5pm Wed - Sat   T+61 (0)2-9557 8483 

www.defiancegallery.com

*NOYCE BROTHERS CELLAR DOOR, 2884 Wollombi Road, Wollombi NSW 2325 
T+61 (0) 2 4998 3483

Cellar Door open 10.30am–3pm, Monday, Wednesday & Thursday; 10.30am–4.30pm Friday & Saturday; 10.30am–4pm Sunday; closed Tuesday.

www.noycebros.com.au

•Private tastings and tastings outside these hours can also be arranged.

Thanks to Defiance Gallery, The Gate Gallery, Noyce Brothers – and Panino Café for delicious food on a delightful opening night. AP/BCT.

Stonehurst Cedar Creek, Wollombi Valley Wine Trail, Grape Picking

Grape picking at Stonehurst Cedar Creek, Wollombi.

Lending a hand with the picking was fun on Sunday, gorgeous day and happy times with the Heslop family. Shiraz next ...

Stonehurst Cedar Creek Semillon 1998

The Stonehurst Cedar Creek wines have become favourites and we tasted a 1998 Semillon last weekend that was pure Hunter – deliciously coloured and delicious to taste. Award-winning wines include the 2006 Chardonnay Semillon Champagne Style Sparkling White which won a trophy at the 2009 Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show. Shiraz, Chambourcin and Semillon are more drops to try at the pretty sandstone cellar door. Love red? Try the Grower's Reserve Shiraz and the Chambourcin!
The pomegranates in the picture were growing on the Cedar Creek property which have led me on a search for recipes - I have an Armenian one which includes pistachio nuts, rosewater, yoghurt and cream which I can't wait to try. Watch this space ...
www.cedarcreekcottages.com.au

Image © Ken Martin/True Blue Cockatoo/Stonehurst Cedar Creek

PS: Just looking at Not Quite Nigella (created by one of my favourite travelling companions) I see a recipe for pomegranate chicken. See for yourselves:www.notquitenigella.com.au