Jon and Mandy Galletly relocate after 48 years in Armidale

Jon Galletly, a well‑known saddler and former Armidale councillor, and his wife Mandy are leaving the New England town where they have lived and worked for almost five decades. After running a leather‑goods business on Marsh Street since the age of 22, the couple will move to Harwood on the Clarence River to enjoy an active retirement while continuing to produce leather items on a smaller scale.

Galletly reflected on the changes in Australian saddlery, noting that while the trade is no longer widely recognised, private schools now teach the craft and there may be more money in it than before. He emphasized the personal connections he has built in Armidale, saying the hardest part of the move will be saying goodbye to his many friends.