On Saturday, August 25, Stroud Writers launches its new anthology of stories and poems, ‘Yarns Down the Track’, at Stroud Country Club from 2pm. Special guests include ABC Newcastle features reporter Anthony Scully and local author Ken Stone.

The anthology is the fifth published by Stroud Writers, a regional branch of the Fellowship of Australian Writers, and contains a wonderful collection of stories and poems by local writers. A donation from book sales goes to Stroud Ambulance Service.

Sunday afternoon, August 26, music lovers will gather in St John’s Anglican Church at 2pm, to enjoy a choral feast organised by the Friends of St John’s. who raise funds to assist with the ongoing restoration and conservation needs of the historic church, hall and rectory. Newcastle’s Waratah Male Voice Choir returns to the wonderful acoustics of the church to present a varied program, joined by Stroud Crowd Choir directed by Anne Frost. A raffle, generously supported by local businesses, will be drawn during the concert with proceeds to drought relief programs.