Principal, Caron McDonald was "Thrilled" because days of work she has anticipated for her husband and herself were completed. Neighbour Eric Evans said, "They were beautiful people. A young Japanese girl and two others helped move old rubble and spread mulch in my yard". The Rylstone Kandos Rotary Club fed the gathering crowd as part of their Rotary Drought Relief and popular local band 'Bushrock' provided background music.

The school grounds were the hub of happy energy as everything was a 'Win-Win', situation. The University students want to find the real country experiences and meet the people. Their next stop is Baradine and then Moree. Many compliments were paid of the young people from Sydney.

Rare Austin Healey Sprites visit the Region

The Sprite Club from Sydney ventured over the mountains, on a sight, seeing trip and to visit the vineyards around Mudgee. Coming to Rylstone for coffee and lunch, the drivers had many tales to tell. Paul from Sydney, with his 1966 red Austen Healey Sprite, went on a rally from Yass to Wagga Wagga with surfboards attached to his car. When asked, "Why?", he explained, "To keep the rain off !" Both driver and navigator ended black with muck from the rough dirt roads. Bob from the Hunter Valley has a rare 1959 Sebring Sprite. One of four in the world it is a tribute car to 'Stirling and Pat Moss'. Bob said the small, sports cars are comfortable to drive and gathered an interested crowd in Louee street, Rylstone.

The Lingnan Penjing (Bonsai), a Unique Store in Lue

Situated beside the Lue Hotel is an amazing shop selling miniature, cultivated trees, known colloquially as Bonsai trees. In fact, the shop run by Philippe Tot is "The Lingnan Penjing Academy of Australia". Sifu (teacher), Philippe Tot, a pioneer in promoting Traditional Chinese Penjing and Culture in Australia since the 90's, commencing his studies in Penjing 1984, then pursuing to further his knowledge in Hong Kong and China. Philippe Tot is mastered in in Lingnan Penjing, Feng Shui and Lin Xue Qigong (Tree Qigong). Philippe started his professional career at the age of 15 and continued for the best part of 15 years, as the direct Horticulturist, Curator and Penjing Caretaker of the Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling Harbour Sydney 1992-2010. In 2009, marking the first time a Chinese Penjing Academy was ever seen in Australia, Philippe opened the Academy doors to the public and since that time has taught hundreds of students. To view the shop is to take an enchanting step back in time to Ancient China, to the Qing Dynasty of China's past and experience traditional Chinese Bonsai (Penjing) in a facility like no other. In the historic village of Lue, 20 minutes, drive from Mudgee. Philippe and his wife moved to Lue to raise their children in a rural environment, encouraged by the quality of the local school for his children. This shop is well worth the experience of a special visit.

David's Diary