Camels keen on warm reception
NEWS
LIFESTYLE
CLASSIFIEDS SPORT
3-28
29-38
39-45
NEWS
46-48
03
MULGOA
Richard Rawbone at his wedding last November.
Camels keen on warm reception Kevin Cheng
IF you’re driving towards Wallacia, make sure you look out for a pair of camels. Mulgoa Valley Receptions has chickens, horses, sheep and peacocks but the main attractions are definitely their two camels, Lemac (camel spelt backwards) and Omar. Cameron and Karren Thomas bought the camels from a breeder at Kurrajong about 10 years ago. ‘‘They really are a bit of an attraction. People always stop and have a look at them,’’ Mr Thomas said. ‘‘We got them for weed control because they eat what livestock don’t eat. They are great for the land.’’ The single-hump camels were the first livestock the couple had ever handled. ‘‘They really are amazing creatures. Our kids get to cuddle them and you can hand feed them too,’’ Mr Thomas said. Couples often pose for wedding photos with the camels, who are goodtempered and gentle. ‘‘I think people like the rural aspect of our place and
Owners Cameron and Karren Thomas at their 2006 wedding.
how it is reflective of country life. We have lived here for 12 years and love it out here,’’ Mr Thomas said. Mulgoa Valley Receptions also holds functions and high tea, with guests able to explore the 11ha property. ‘‘I’m a chef by trade and my wife makes the cakes,’’ he said. ‘‘We offer the complete package.’’ Have you seen any interesting animals around? Tell us at: penrithpress.com.au
One of the two camels at Mulgoa Valley Receptions spots the camera.
Picture: PHIL ROGERS
BLUE MOUNTAINS
Get your fire plan ready Emma Schiller
PEOPLE may have been reaching for the umbrella more than the hose recently but Valley Heights Rural Fire Service volunteers say it is time to act, ahead of what could be a very dangerous bushfire season. This year’s heavy rainfall has increased the amount of undergrowth in the Blue Mountains — perfect fuel for summer bushfires, according to Valley Heights RFS captain Stephen Price. ‘‘The best way that the locals can help us to be prepared for the fires,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s winter and it’s wet, but it is the best time for people to get their bushMB
HIGH GROWTH, NOW DRY CONDITIONS AHEAD fire survival plan ready. ‘‘The one thing that we seem to come up against and that we want to improve this year is houses that aren’t properly prepared for a fire that we can sometimes do little to defend.’’ Valley Heights RFS is aiming to complete four hazard reduction burns but has been held back because conditions have been too wet. ‘‘And soon it could be a matter of being too dry,’’ Mr Price said. ‘‘Whether we can do those hazard reduction burns before it dries out too much and we’re in the fire season
— well, that’s in the laps of the gods.’’ Blue Mountains RFS superintendent David Jones said early precautions for the coming bushfire season were crucial. ‘‘The Bureau of Meteorology is advising that spring will bring El Nino conditions, so that will essentially mean that we can expect drier conditions in the summer months,’’ he said. ‘‘We’d encourage all residents to make sure they have a bushfire survival plan and prepare their property appropriately.’’
THE WEATHER EL NINO: After two years of record rain and flooding, Australia’s weather patterns are taking a dramatic turn. Weather Channel meteorologists say a number of weather indicators, including high sea temperatures and certain wind patterns, suggest that an El Nino episode could set in, which would bring low rainfall and high temperatures. RFS: Find out how to prepare your home and family for the bushfire season by visiting www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
Stephen Price with brigade volunteers (from left) Robert Colquhoun, Rebecca Price, James Colquhoun and Peter McDonald. Picture: ANN MORAN
PENRITH PRESS, Tuesday, July 17, 2012
3
LIFESTYLE
CLASSIFIEDS SPORT
3-28
29-38
39-45
NEWS
46-48
03
MULGOA
Richard Rawbone at his wedding last November.
Camels keen on warm reception Kevin Cheng
IF you’re driving towards Wallacia, make sure you look out for a pair of camels. Mulgoa Valley Receptions has chickens, horses, sheep and peacocks but the main attractions are definitely their two camels, Lemac (camel spelt backwards) and Omar. Cameron and Karren Thomas bought the camels from a breeder at Kurrajong about 10 years ago. ‘‘They really are a bit of an attraction. People always stop and have a look at them,’’ Mr Thomas said. ‘‘We got them for weed control because they eat what livestock don’t eat. They are great for the land.’’ The single-hump camels were the first livestock the couple had ever handled. ‘‘They really are amazing creatures. Our kids get to cuddle them and you can hand feed them too,’’ Mr Thomas said. Couples often pose for wedding photos with the camels, who are goodtempered and gentle. ‘‘I think people like the rural aspect of our place and
Owners Cameron and Karren Thomas at their 2006 wedding.
how it is reflective of country life. We have lived here for 12 years and love it out here,’’ Mr Thomas said. Mulgoa Valley Receptions also holds functions and high tea, with guests able to explore the 11ha property. ‘‘I’m a chef by trade and my wife makes the cakes,’’ he said. ‘‘We offer the complete package.’’ Have you seen any interesting animals around? Tell us at: penrithpress.com.au
One of the two camels at Mulgoa Valley Receptions spots the camera.
Picture: PHIL ROGERS
BLUE MOUNTAINS
Get your fire plan ready Emma Schiller
PEOPLE may have been reaching for the umbrella more than the hose recently but Valley Heights Rural Fire Service volunteers say it is time to act, ahead of what could be a very dangerous bushfire season. This year’s heavy rainfall has increased the amount of undergrowth in the Blue Mountains — perfect fuel for summer bushfires, according to Valley Heights RFS captain Stephen Price. ‘‘The best way that the locals can help us to be prepared for the fires,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s winter and it’s wet, but it is the best time for people to get their bushMB
HIGH GROWTH, NOW DRY CONDITIONS AHEAD fire survival plan ready. ‘‘The one thing that we seem to come up against and that we want to improve this year is houses that aren’t properly prepared for a fire that we can sometimes do little to defend.’’ Valley Heights RFS is aiming to complete four hazard reduction burns but has been held back because conditions have been too wet. ‘‘And soon it could be a matter of being too dry,’’ Mr Price said. ‘‘Whether we can do those hazard reduction burns before it dries out too much and we’re in the fire season
— well, that’s in the laps of the gods.’’ Blue Mountains RFS superintendent David Jones said early precautions for the coming bushfire season were crucial. ‘‘The Bureau of Meteorology is advising that spring will bring El Nino conditions, so that will essentially mean that we can expect drier conditions in the summer months,’’ he said. ‘‘We’d encourage all residents to make sure they have a bushfire survival plan and prepare their property appropriately.’’
THE WEATHER EL NINO: After two years of record rain and flooding, Australia’s weather patterns are taking a dramatic turn. Weather Channel meteorologists say a number of weather indicators, including high sea temperatures and certain wind patterns, suggest that an El Nino episode could set in, which would bring low rainfall and high temperatures. RFS: Find out how to prepare your home and family for the bushfire season by visiting www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
Stephen Price with brigade volunteers (from left) Robert Colquhoun, Rebecca Price, James Colquhoun and Peter McDonald. Picture: ANN MORAN
PENRITH PRESS, Tuesday, July 17, 2012
3
