25 Jan Australia Day w / end 15 Feb Valentines w / end 5 Apr Easter Sunday 10 May Mother’ s Day 7 Jun King’ s Birthday

2 Wharf St, St Albans, Northern Hawkesbury

WISEMANS FERRY BOWLING CLUB

DINE ON OUR VERANDAH overlooking the magic waters of the Hawkesbury & surrounding cliffs.

Alfresco Bistro • TAB • Bottle Shop Barefoot Bowls • Disabled Access Member Discounts NEW BOWLS MEMBERS WELCOME

CLUB TRADING HOURS OPEN 11AM EVERYDAY

Closing times will be based on patronage

Wisemans Ferry Bowling Club offers an exciting lineup of weekly activities for everyone. Kickstart your week with Bingo on Mondays from 9.30am, and unwind during Happy Hour( Mon-Fri 3.30pm-6pm, Sat-Sun 2-4pm). Thursdays are packed with excitement, featuring the Members Badge Draw and Meat Raffles from 7.00pm, Saturdays Fresh Seafood Raffles, 4pm tickets on sale, drawn 4.45pm, followed by the Pool Competition from 5pm.

stalbansvillagemarket. com. au

COME & CELEBRATE THE AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND BY THE MACDONALD RIVER IN THE NORTHERN HAWKESBURY

It’ s a step back in time, but not that far away.

Now in our 5th year, and with well over 1000 followers on Facebook and even more on Instagram, this great destination has well and truly established itself on the Hawkesbury market trail for locals and visitors alike.

This month we’ ll have all your favourite local producers plus a lineup of visiting stallholders with high quality produce and crafts, including the creatives from the Ferry Artists Gallery, seated massage, artisanal gins, vodkas, rums, honeys, large

& small dinosaurs, candles, beautiful pottery, an ice cream van, AND THEN THERE’ S MORE …...

• A Free Misting Tunnel to keep you and the kids cool

• Giant Kids Games set up in the shade, with dedicated seating

• Your fur babies are always welcome – on a lead please

It’ s a great day trip for your family and friends.

Come on down and see why the locals call this special place home.

www. stalbansvillagemarket. com. au

Ph 4545 4106 • 5565 Old Northern Road, Wisemans Ferry • www. wfbc. com. au

For spontaneous fun, enjoy Barefoot Bowls- every Wednesday night from 6pm. Walk-ins welcome, but group bookings are essential. Check the Club & Facebook for updates.

Join us every Wednesday night from 6pm

Names drawn out of a hat plus prizes

Check the Club & Facebook for commencement & updates

DINE IN or TAKE-AWAY

Join us at the Golden Valley Chinese Restaurant and enjoy delicious authentic Chinese cuisine, great company, and a brand-new dining experience. Bring your friends and family along, we can’ t wait to welcome you!

OPEN 5 DAYS. LUNCH Wed – Sun 11.00am – 3.00pm. DINNER Wed – Sun 4.00pm – 8.30pm. CLOSED Mon-Tues

For all Bookings, call 02 4545 4108 or 0424 558 213 by Lachlan Turner

Sometimes referred to as“ Honey Flower”, the Mountain Devil( Lambertia Formosa), gained its more common name from the shape of the seed pod which is said to resemble the head of a“ devil”. This common name gained popularity due to the seed pod being incorporated into a tourist souvenier in the form of small dolllike figures associated with the Blue Mountains of NSW during the early to mid 20th Century.

Lambertia Formosa is the only member of that species endemic to Eastern Australia. Its habitat distribution is mainly in the bushland areas around, and to the west of, Sydney as far as the Blue Mountains. All other members of this species are located in Western Australia.

This plant is readily located along most tracks in local bushland. It can be quite straggley in form when growing in less suitable positions as it does like protection from the sun as well as good soil in which to grow to its best condition. In more favourable growing conditions the plant can grow up to 2m high and around 2m wide, with flowers appearing a very bright red.

Leaves are approximately 50mm long ending in a sharp spike which can be quite painful if handled carelessly. The spikes protruding from the flower can also be quite sharp. In spite of its other name,( Honey Flower), which is gained from the flower’ s ability to attract nectar feeding birds and insects, the flower can emit a pungent odour which can be detected when close to the flowers.

Although it has a reasonable level of popularity, mainly due to the rich red colour of the flower, it is a plant that has been a challenge to propagate and grow for the home garden.

22 ISSUE 127 // JANUARY 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT