Up beat season at Belltrees

The river is up, the grass is up and so is the market. "The best season in 20 years" says Anto White. Outlook for beef cattle remains bouyant with feedloters cashing in on low wheat prices and restockers now struggling to find sufficient numbers of cattle to utilise the eccess feed. What a difference the rain makes.

"Belltrees Queen" wins prestigious pony prize at POLO Dinner

At the Scone Polo Club Presentation Dinner held on Saturday 11 December 2010, Alec White accepted the award on behalf of both he and William for the most outstanding first season pony; "Belltrees Queen".

The night was a great finalie to a very successful year. President Mack Lee Warner highlighted the enormous effort by members in raising funds to go towards the purchase of the new grounds at Dartbrook. Scone Polo Club now stands strong as one of the largest and most secure Polo Clubs in Australia.

Phoebe completes 3 weeks prac. teaching at Belltrees School

Two years into her diploma at ACPE, Phoebe has just completed her first 3 week prac teaching stint at Belltrees Primary School.

"Teaching children from kindergarten to 6 grade all in one class room has been a challenge but the experience under Mrs Jones' strict tutelage has been most rewarding. Ive learn't a lot. And the offer to go to Tonga and complete my next year's prac would be very exciting" says Phoebe.

School from Tonga visits Belltrees

61 School kids from Tonga came to visit Belltrees as part of an Australian Exchange School Program. When the doors of the bus opened the atmosphere came to light as the magnificent Tongan voices sang and laughed their arrival.

Anto showed them the art of branding calves , handling young horses, weighing steers and working polo horses. What an eye opener for the kids. One of the boys, Pita, billeted at Ed and Paulina's house, was dressed "Australian" for the special occassion. He had never been on a horse before.

http://www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2010/12/02/sounds-of-the-south-pacific-ring-out-in-the-hunter/

Seven siblings annual get together

When Michael White passed away in 1999 his seven children formulated a Family Plan of Arrangements. This Arrangement set out a security agreement between the siblings for the continuation of Belltrees. Every year the SEVEN brothers and sisters get together for a catch up, a reminisce and a discussion of things 'family". In 2010 they visited the HL White Stamp collection in the Mitchell Library, Sydney. They were fortunate enough to meet with prominant philatelist Ben Palmer ( Royal Sydney Philatelic Club) and Dr Phillip Sharp, Nicky Parshal (Head of Conservation, Mitchell Library) and Sue Hunt who all helped explain the Collection. It was a proud moment.

Jasper heads to Argentina after a successful Polo season

Jasper has been a very fortunate young man to have had the opportunity to play with great players and successful teams throughout 2010. The silver in the trophy cabinet reflects successes in ; Kerry Packer 14 Goal, Morton Cup 12G, Kurri Burri 12G, Dudley Cup, NSW Colts @ Royal Easter Show, NSW Colts @ Windsor pre Test, Gold Coast 10G, Willow Croft 10G, Ashling 10G, Mercedes 10G, Sydney 14 G, Ellerston Spring 14 G, Gurrangula 14G.

A very strong start to his Polo career. Go hard Jasper.....................

PW goes into hospital for running repairs

A half century on and a few of the old body parts, damaged when I was 17, have started to wear out. Fortunately NSOSMC has come to the rescue with a one stop shop for body parts; a new knee and new ankle is on order for 2010. Guarenteed for 10 years.

Hopefully ill be back in the saddle come February 2011.