The Villa at Windella in the Hunter Valley

13/11/2024

07/11/2023

Les Darcy was born in 1895 near Maitland, New South Wales in Australia.

As a powerful apprentice blacksmith Darcy made his first money in the boxing ring at 14.

He was soon noticed by Reginald "Snowy" Baker, well-known promoter, who brought him to the Sydney Stadium for the first time in 1914. He became the stadium's leading drawcard.

In spite of victories against all his opponents, who included several top-ranked Americans. Darcy was prevented by professional controversy at the time from claiming the title and his extraordinary success was recognised only within his own country.

At the end of 1915 Darcy announced his intention to accept an offer of fights in the US but he changed his mind. He came under pressure to enlist in the war effort – partly as an example to other young men – and his predicament was aggravated by his Irish-Catholic background. His own attitude was ambivalent, but he was now anxious to go to America.

In 1916 he enlisted for active service, but protestations from his mother that he was not yet 21 years old, and was therefore a minor, secured his discharge. Determined to get overseas but being denied a passport, Darcy stowed away on a ship bound for America and eventually arrived in New York to a champion's welcome.

In New York a major fight was arranged, but it was banned by the Governor because of the manner in which Darcy had left Australia. The decision was disastrous for Darcy as certain sections of the Press vilified him as a deserter from military service and he was banned from boxing. Subsequently the charge was withdrawn and the ban lifted, but he was then unable to arrange any fights. Applying for US citizenship, he joined the US Flying Corps when he was suddenly admitted to hospital with septicaemia; his tonsils were removed but he developed pneumonia and died on 24 May 1917 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was just 21 years old.

His fiancée Winnie O'Sullivan was at his deathbed. His body was brought back to Australia and, after immense funeral processions in San Francisco and Sydney, was buried in East Maitland.

His powerful legend lives on.

29/09/2023

29/09/2023

📸 Take a look at this post

22/09/2023

19/08/2023

YAY!
The Hunter Valley Monopoly is finally here 🥳
Pop into the Visitor Centre and grab one of our fabulous Monopoly boards this weekend ❤️

29/07/2023

Due to the popularity of the Rick Stein $59 Local's Special we are extending the offer into August! Confirmed dates are August 3, 17, 24 & 31. The menu for August 3 is as follows:

Starter- Fried Prawn Fritters with Fresh Green Chutney

Main- Goan Fish Curry with Naan and kachumber salad

Dessert- Macadamia Parfait

Follow https://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/ricksteinportstephens/rick-stein-port-stephens-widget to book.

16/07/2023

👜 PSA our 2023 dates are here!!! 🎒

From the 17-26 of November Bunnings Warehouse Australia will once again be collection points nationwide for donations 🙏

We are so grateful we will once again be able to make Christmas brighter for those in need. Our collection may be not until November but feel free to start putting aside bags and essential items all throughout the year so you are ready to go come November. You can find everything you need to know here: https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/itsinthebag

Every single bag has such an incredible impact. Just listen to this feedback from 54 Reasons in Townsville about how it made Christmas brighter for a family of 7.

"A family of 7 were living in emergency housing due to homelessness. A single mother was taking care of her 5 children and one grandbaby.

Mum was given a baby bag for bub and was very grateful for the baby items inside the bag. The nappies and bottles were much appreciated, with the cost of the rent and food rising, it was a relief for the family to not worry about those items on their next shop.

Three teenage bags were given to the girls, aged 16, 13 and 12. The girls were so excited, they pulled the items from the bags and showed them off to each other with joy and pride.

A bag was given to mum, she finally had a new handbag and was grateful to have some hygiene items for herself."

10/07/2023

06/07/2023

Discover the high tea experience at Reece Hignell’s Cake Boi this July