. 2 . BACK TO G I LGA ND RA"

,;� ❖--•------·------·-···r l OFFICIALS •=♦-Q-1 ..,__._...._...�,�--.ci_.._..-.., __.._....._._...... _,.�,...... �•� -,-n1111a1.1__.,4tI

•5'..a--

� 'r', IN an effort to particularly I c!) have chosen to "' is the fact that ,; I' r here, naturally institution in a of which depe

In prepa of research fo1 .. -;,'i . cor.siderably !, ... ,__,-�,. - - _.,.,,J. in an endeavo1 "' district• s story Secretary: Mr. C. N. Francis f·res1dent: Mr. P. P. Fallon It is but less, some err Patrons: Miss A. Curran, Mrs. E. J. Beveridge, Mrs. M. C. Garling, Messrs. securing infon carefully che A. H. N. Reichelt, G. A. Semmler, J. H. Hitchen, M. McLeod Pty. Ltd ., 0. J. McCutcheon, J. Vaughan, J. J. O'Brien, F. D. Pye, P. J. Ryan. � We of J whose mighty Hon. Treasurers: Messrs. J. J. E. Andrew and W. A. Brown. :,,. the proud mo Executive Committee: Messrs. J. Nelson, C. F. Myers, H. Collison, A. Townsend, 1 We han [ velopment, ai W. Creenaune, G. Christie, R. Diggs, Mrs. E. Townsend, Mrs. F. Varcoe, '] a1:1spici�us ,�­ Mrs. J. K. Alexander. f p10necrong llli times. Mode 1 greater effo Committee: Miss Travers, Miss J. Williams, Miss B. Dalmain, Miss N. Taylor. [ Mesdames H. Taylor, W. A. Brown, J. Fleming, N. J. Clements, J. Foran, � Gilgan Stanley, [ moudly ac Messrs. E. Townsend, R. F. Varcoe, W. Coomber,. J. Morris, ! . 1· E. Collison, J. Hiatt, R. Offner, B. Gould, J. Fleming, R. J. Nelson, E. Ellis, J. Curran, F. Astill, A. J. Habgood, F. Purdon, C. Offner, F. Paul, E. ; Bogie, L. D. Serisier, A. Schuemaker, Dr. Alexander, Dr. Clements. 1 Booklet Committee: Messrs. J. Nelson, A. Schuemaker, H. E. 0. Campbell.

0� "B A C K T O G I L G A N D R A"

®���F�����������������������������© J � � � f[ ❖•-·----·----·-·-·-·-·--·---·-·----·-❖ i ' i ;� J FOREWORD I r � ❖-I. n i 1 _,,_,_,,_,,_,._,,_,_,_,_,,_,,_,_,_,,_,_,,_,_,_, ,_,_,__ J _ ,_,.;. f[ � J � � [ J JN an effort to meet their present obligations to the District Hospital it 1s 1 i particularly fitting, for many reasons, that the citizens of Gilgandrn should r J have chosen to publish a brief survey of the history of the district. Among these JI is tl-ie fact that th,e minds of present residents and of those who previously lived � r here, naturally turn to the past and that time when the benefits of such an 1 J°tf institution in our midst were unknown and then on to the future, the prosperity r of which depends upon present effort, J �

I.',/( In preparing this outline the committee was faced with the formidable task r;, J of research for material not previously published in any form. This work was rj­ � /( considerably assisted by those older res idents who willingly gave of their time '); � in an endeavour to supply many of the important links in the chain of the r � � district's story, J � It is but natural that many facts of interest have been omitted, and doubt- � � � less, some errors have crept in, but the utmost care has been displayed in (? IfJ securing information from only the most reliable sources, and this h�s been R J carefully checked. � °t( r � We of Gilgandra must ever treasure the memory of those stalwart pioneers 1 J whose mighty efforts Australia has developed in face of tremendous difficulties to f ;,- the proud modern Commonwealth we hail and revere to-day. t t:;'1fYo0 "'Yo We have in our midst old residents who saw and aided much of the de- � f velopment, and to whom, also, we must express our profound thanks, in this f auspicious week of our history. We would ask you to remember that, as well as � pioneNing in our early days we are still pioneering in these more complicated �(? times. Modern knowledge and methods must stir us to still greater skill and R greater effort, that our memories may, too, be treasured by generations to come. �r Gilgandra and district is regarded as one of the State's finest assets. We pl oudly acknowledge ownership and accept it as 1� THE GOLDEN GIFT OF OUR PIONEERS. r r1 � K' 1 '? K' ��������������������������:.--,.0""-,dl�:-d)l< 0 ,- -� ' i - 1

4 "B A C K T O G I L G A N D R A"

·=·•-f-�ll-l)-C-{I-C-�f-ll-f-l-(-1-1-l-l,...... ll-(_(,_tl-fl-(_(,,__ ♦:♦ I i I PROG·RAMME I i •!•-0-1,_,,_o-o .... c,1,�1-n ...... 1_,,_n_,,_1,_u_,,_,,_,,,,_,,._.,1_1,_1,_n._.1,_,_�• __

M-.:tnday, 20th September Wednesday, 22nd September

10.30 a.m. ( Half Holiday for Storekeepers) Official Welcome to Visitors at Council Chambers. Morning free. 2 p.m. Car Tours of District. First Day of Gilgandra Diggers' Race Garden Party at the Gili;andra Park. Meeting, at Gilgandra Racecourse. Bowling Green, Tennis Courts and Golf Excellent day's sport assured. Prize Club open to visitors. money for meeting amounts to £ 120. 8 p.m. Ball at Curban Hall. Lorna Lance Or­ 8 p.m . chestra. A royal welcome awaits Ball at Collie. Lorna Lance Orchestra. all ex-Curban residents. Pictures at Western Monarch Theatre. Pictures at Western Monarch Theatre. "Back to Gilgandra Week'' funds "Back to Gilgandra Week" funds to receive 25 per cent, of the gross to receive 25 per cent, of the gross takings. takings. Carnival i:1 Bridge Street. Professor Carnival in Bridge Street. Professor V/allc,ce's Punch and Judy Show, Wallace's Punch and Judy Show, etc. Gilgandra Band in attendance. etc. Gi!gandra Band in attendance.

Tuesday, 21st September Thursday, 23rd September ( Public Holiday) (Half Holiday for Storekeepers) 9 a.m. Monster Procession to Show Ground . 9.30 a.m.: Clay Pigeon Shoot, to be Procession will leave from corner held on Gilgandra Race Course. of Miller and Wrigley Streets. .5-econd Day of Gilgandra Diggers' Race Meeting- another excellent day's 10 a.m. sport assured. Gymkhana at the Show Ground . Also Athletic and Novelty Events. 8 p.m. Luncheon and Refreshment Booths on Ground. "Back to Gilgandra Week" Ball, to be 2 p.m.: Official Opening of "Back to held in the Australian Hall. Lorna Gilgandra Week." Lance Orchestra. Splendid floor , 8 p.m. and good supper. An ideal place Old-Time Ball, to be held in Australian to meet old friends. Price3: 7 '6 Hall. Lorna Lance Orchestra. Ad­ gents; 5 /- ladies. mission prices 6/- and 4/-. Carnival in Bridge Street. Professor Carnival in Bridge Street. Professor Wallace's Punch and Judy Show, Wallace's Punch and Judy Show, etc. Gilgandra Band in attendance. etc. Gilgandra Band in attendance.

14 .. B ACK TO G I L GAND RA'

McTaggart's store was situated in born on the Castlereagh below Curban. Lower Miller Street, near where a clump "T ooloon" was the next property taken of cedar and pepper trees are now grow­ up by Gibson and Patterson, but as their ing. He was one of our very earliest wives could not agree, they later sold storekeepers. McTaggart' s store was the property to two Scotchmen. hardly a general store-it kept merely 'f. 'f. '(, knick-nacks, but in the 80' s Russell and Another resident whose descend­ Moore, of Dubbo, opened a branch here. f'T\ts live in the .district was James It was the first big general store. Christian. He came over from the Mud­ 'f. 'f. 'f. gee district about 1836. He had a hotel Other early storekeepers were .T o'l::n ;and post office combined on "C:ulgan­ Collison, Charlie T ym and James H3ll dra" Station, but on leaving "Carlgan­ and Son. The latter were burnt out about dra" he selected "New Breelong (Mr. three or four years after they opened up K. McAllister's present home). While in business. Collison' s store was also there a bale of wool fell off the skids burnt down. ,vhen loading -the tea.ms and killed him. 'f. 'f. 'f. I-le W"-S buried near McAllister's house The only relic of the old Bushman' 3 and the remains of the grave may still Arms Hotel (later the Telegraph Hotel), • be seen there. which occupied a pos1hon on the '(, 'f. 'f. western side of the old river crossing The two young Scotchmen, who at the intersectio:1 of Court and Miller 1--ow?"!--,t "Tooloon" from Gibson and Streets, is portion of one of the chim­ Patterson, provide a link with early neys. Gilc-?.ndra. This is the story: These young 'f. 'f. 'f. men emploved four Chinamen on their John Fi:sher Smith opened a branch rrooertv. One of them had very severe store towards the site of -the prese11t ide"s of discipline and often -took the race course, and later still. built the old stockwhip to his celesfri.l employees hotel at the junction of the Co,rnamble when they displeased him. He was and Mendooran Roads. This building frequently reminded of the µossibilitv of still stands. -�'">ri,nls, but it rem.3.ined unheeded. O:1e 'f. 'f. 'f. d"" his stock horse returned without its Two old residents of Gilgandra are rider, and a diligent search failed . to descendents of verv earlv pioneers. They ,,,,ve,il the whereabouts of the station an� James Madgwick and Charles .Tames 0W!'er. An aboriginal, however, discov­ Gibson. The former's father, in 'iSS'lcia­ ned that the m'in had been buried in tion with John Jones, took un "Ewrih]-." the sheep yard. The four Chinamen were Station in 1844. for Robert Martin. trierl for murder. One turned Queen's Later they shifted to "Kiameron," below evidence and was reprieved, but the Mt. Harris. Madgwick, on his own ac­ others were hanged. This Chinaman, count, then moved to Coborra, near Cam by name, then worked at Mrs. Dunedoo, where James Mad�wick was Bvrne's hotel, in Gilgandra. Cam re­ born. He and his wife celebrated the ma.ined in her employ for many years, 6 I st anniversary of their wedding on u,ti.l h's death, following a burning 2nd May, 1 9 3 7. John Jones later owned o-::cident,_ about 1907. "Merrigal" Station, Collie. 'f. 'f. 'f. :r- 'f. ... , The other Scotchm George James Gibson W"'S the first eaually violent death. Ret white man to live at Coonamble, and he Mendooran, with supplies, he called in formed the station for Walker, from at a friend's place at Appletree Flat f�r which the town derives its name. After a cup of tea, but was shot dead c1s 1'e forming Coonamble, he then took up entered the door of the hut "Bimble", in partnership with Patterso_ n. ranger who had bailed u George Gibson was born there in 1842, keeper, just before, and fore and thus claims to be the first white child prepare a meal. The bushramrer ~v·...1_

I�

N 0:0

to > () � -ii. 0

C') r- C') > z. 0 ::i:i �

GILGANDRA P. and A. ASSOCIATION OFFICIALS, 1913:-Top: W. A. Craig (deceased), P. H.- Wake, C. R. Martin, H. Stockings (decea,ed), A. Richards (decea.ed). Second Top: F. Firth (Judge), K. McA!icter, W. Priddle, P. J. Anderson (de­ ceased), A. F. Garling (deceased), G. Rankin, A. H. N. Reichelt, N. T. McLennan (deceas2d), W . Burrell, J. Kemp-Bruce. T!hird Top: J. E. M. Gilmour (deceased), F. W. Mackenzie, W. E. Linke, Robt. Stanley (Pre:ident), W. C. Rolls (deceased), W. L. Creenaune (deceased), A. Cr:tmmcn (deceased, Judge), J. Par£low. Bott'.lm: ----, G. Christie (secretary), J:.ick Holls, E. F.. Beveridge (decea,,cd), nIa Beveridi:e.

30 "BA C K. T O G I L G A N D RA" GILGANDRA POST OFFICE

GILGANDRA'S FIRST POST OFFICE, ESTABLISHED IN 186 7

A POST OFFICE was established. at A telegraph office was opened at Gilgandra on 1st January, 1867, the Gilgandra on 4th August, 1882, und�r first postmaster being Mr. James Mr. W. H. Golding, and a few months Christian, who received a salary of £ I 2 later, viz., on I st November, 1882, the per annum. Post and Telegraph offices were amal­ Mr. Christian was succeeded on gamated under Mr. Golding, who was I 6th March, 1 868, by a Mr. Murphy designated Post and Telegraph Master. ( Mr. Clem Murphy's father), who re­ signed on I st January, 18 7 J ,· when the The telephone exchange at Gilgan­ office was closed.. It was re-established dra was opened on 24th July, 1908. on the western side of the river on 15th May, 1872, under Mr. J. Macauley, and The present staff at Gilgandra con­ has continued. to function uninterruptedly sists of nine persons, including the ;ince that date. post master.

,,

POST OFFICE, 19 3 7

34 ··aACK TO GILGANDRA··

· . �<,/;I ,' t" / ,i .r · i£ J::�:, ,r_ ' ' �c <\ ..'� '�'l'i8,'f?-J ',. ., ·_ ,,.:t· ,.. .. . ') . ·."'. I·�··.··" ,�.·· 'l.· !$•'' '1;p, .,•, . .�. .. . ·,) IJ

GILGANDRA PUBLIC SCHOOL, 1887. Mr. W. R. Train, Headmaster.

Girls in Croup: R. Collison, F. Falkiner, C. McEwen, A. McEwe:1, L. Falkiner, Mabel Murphv, Rose Murphy. Boys: Mayford Morris, Clem. Murphy, Jack Murphy, W. Falkiner, Jack Acort, W. Murphy, Jack and Jim McEwen.

PUBLIC SCHOOL IN 1908

38 ··BACK TO GI LG A NORA··

SLEEPER INDUSTRY past year has been a slump period for cutters, but the gross average return for Sleepers were first cut in the .district each man was £300-about £6 per for the building of the Dubbo-Coonamble week gross. The quality has improved railway line, and without a break for 35 considerably, being as near as possible years, this industry has consistently to l 00 per cent. perfect. In the last pass employed large numbers of men. Dur­ during August, out of 2,650 sleepers ing the past twelve months 32,26.J only 29 were condemned. sleepers have been delivered to the Gil­ At Balladoran, 12,291 sleepers gan.dra depot, represe·nting a total value were delivered for the twelve months, of £7.553/3/0. Hewn timber was de­ of a value of £2,915/18/6-a gross livered to the value of £225/5/0. The average of £291 per cutter per year.

MASONIC LQ:DGE

WARRUMBUNGLE No. 277

THE first effort made to form a Lodge we,._therlv)ard building. known as the ;...., Gil1rnndrr1 was in 1905. but as the Union Church, on the site of the prese11.t t·otal str,,.n�th then was onlv six mem­ Temp),._ This was burnt down during the bers in the district, and no P.M., noth­ fire epidemic, when nearlv all the halls in ing could be done. The spark was kept town were burnt down. All th,,. furniture alive till 1909. The r'\nks had then grown and some regalia were burnt. The Lodge to 11 members. and with the assist'lnce TY\ee-tini:>"1 were held in the Chur�h of of two or three commercial travellers. F.ngland Hali until tl--P, pre

40 "'B A C K T O G I L G A ND R A"

hammer and a tenor horn at night, and came along and assisted the lads with mastered both. And those who have seven of his members. They also had never heard Jack Reddan on a side drum Jerry Collis and Bob Paton, the latter do not know how one should be played. a drummer of note who was one of the About 1924 the old brigade got together chief attractions on the ground. About again and under Fred Foster, and later four years ago Mr. Fred Brook gave Albert Ross, resu,med practice . Then concrete support to the band and engag­ Charlie Ross assumed control in 1 9 3 1 ed the members to play in front of his the urgent need of a bass player having picture show every Wednesday night, been fulfilled in the arrival of l::3-ill and this has kept the band tosether. /\ Stranr:e. Through the efforts of Mr. Joe visit was received from the Dubbo Citiz­ Keen the band was i:nduce.d to play at ,ms' Band about two years ago, and this the Gilgandra Show, for which he col­ was returned by Gilgandra at a later lected a goodly sum. On that occasion date. Jim \Vilson. band master at Coonamble,

FIRST POLICE STATION

JN the year I 880 a Police Station was I 9 3 I it was established in a room at the established at Curban, about 1 5 miles Court House in Myrtle Street, Gilgandra. fo the north of Gilgandra, but as Curban The present Police Station building was ( also known as T errabile) declined in erected in Myrtle Street in I 9 34, and importance and settlements at Gilgandra police entered into occupation of the progressed, the Police Station was re­ premises in December of that year. moved to Gilgandra and erected at the The first police officers stationed at place where the Sergeant's residence now Gilgandra after the removal of the stands. The building was demolished station from Curban were Sergeant James later on and sold, and the present quart­ Cusack an.d Constable Brown. ers for the Police Sergeant were erected. With the expansion of Gilgandra in a The present staff comprises Serg�. southerly direction it became necessary H E. Taylor, Constables A. Evans, C. to remove the Police Station, and about C. Gould and F. Skiller.

(• !.

FIRST POLICE ST A TION IN GILGANDRA. 1897

44 "B A C K T O G I L G A N D R A"

DUBBO·COONAMBLE RAIL Y LINE goods to 20,821. 1936 OPENED 29th JULY, 1902 goods ti 47,436. In 19, took 6 h HE proposal for construction of a T are of opm10n that the connection be trip from line of railway from Dubbo to Coon­ with Dubbo, that route being the most pared wi amble was included in the Government central, the wideict in its range of inter­ motor• of Railway Policy of 1886, but, apart from ests for traffic, the best for providing Dubbo t9 r references by deputations to the Ministe openings for markets, and, in comparison 34 minute for Works, no action was taken until the with the route which is its only rival, by I hour 11 matter was referred to the Parliamentary far the cheaper in cost of construction On Standing Committee on Public \Vorks in and maintenance." Clerk. 1899. In the same year, 1899, Act No. the Secre The c�mmittee in question consid­ 35, authorising the construction of the ered four proposals for linking Coon­ line was passed and the work was under­ amble with the then existing railway taken by the Public Works Department. system. The routes proposed were:­ The original survey would have Dubbo to Coonamble, Mudgee to Coon­ placed the town of Gilgandra 4} miles amble, Narromine to Coonamble, and from the Railway Station. Efforts were Warren to Coonamble. Of these, only made by the citizens to alter the route the first route passed through Gilgandra. to pass through the town near where the

a spacio� situated a Road ai:

�-""""11..t- i' ,f, 1:h,H: L �-· --� - �... . _,,....-;> JHH11 . � I t1ru/oi!l(ill If(l/

RAILWAY STATION

The committee, after taking evid­ District School now stands, but eventu­ ence and making inspection of the ally its present position was agreed upon. routes, arrived at the following con­ Sir W,m. Lvnne turned the first sod clusion: "In the public interest, as well at Dubbo in 1901. as in the interests of the districts most The first passenger train, conveying concerned, it is expedient the proposed 1 7 passengers, ran from Coonamble to railway from Dubbo to Coonamble Dubbo on the 29th July, 1902. should be constructed. The .iustifiable­ Conveyance of goods traffic com­ ness of the claims of Coonamble to be menced in August, 1902. connected with the railway system of the To illustrate the extent of develop­ Colonv being admitted, the onlv ques­ ment in the area served by the line, the tion for consideration is that of route; following figures showing traffic carried and from the evidence before them, and on the line are given: their visit of inspection, the committee 1903: Passenger jour:1eys, 7,590; made

46 "'B A C K T O G I L G A N D R A"

poLO was fus· in Gilgandra not until 1921 heights. Throug late E. E. Be·n Gilg;,.·,dra was � to revive the g'. it has flourise tournament bei.­ from the surro for the Gilga.r:< the Warrumb••­ was subscrib men, and the ,_. ing, of ''G Beveridge so ceeded in Mr. G. C! D. ]\I! Ke:m

MILLER STREET, 191 3 A

1922, we capt., J. - ing). 19 2 3. Gilga::, F. Corr.•-

cap B. 1925, cap C. 1928. Welli-.z--� J. 1929.

capt.. - VIEW OF MILLER STREET, 1903, BRIDGE HOTEL (now the l{oyal) ON M. THE LEFT B GRAD_ 1 922, Gilg,,-::: -

��----~---- . 48 . BACK TO G I LG A ND RA .

HOW GILGANDRA PROGRESSED of wheat wer for haulage t1 were paid, the (By HORATIO BEVERIDGE) thing in the wheat farmin� BEFORE the advent of farmers from clearing and netting their hddings, and has been wr Victori-a and elsewhere, Gilgandra a great many more found occu?::.tion in eternal in the was a village where bullock and horse this work . Gilgandra became a busy was with the teams were to be seen wending their way little centre. \Vheat growing, and the poor seasons in a more or less leisurely fashion along suitability of the Gilgandra bnds for disappointing. Miller Street, the main thoroughfare . growing this grain, became the principal goes o;:i in G Evervone then appeared to have plenty topic of conversation. The new arrivals the rescue of of leisure. Grouos of men were to be spoke caustically of the methods ot lean years, an seen sitting on their heels in the street growing crops that had prevailed before and over ag for indefinite periods without any their arrival. Mr. P. l MacManus, the the safe and apparent strain, now· a lost art . An ex­ then proprietor of 'The C"!st!ere'l.gh,·· the Gilgandr tensive Chinese garden, which faced now "The Gilgandra Weekly", devoted patient work Miller and Morris Streets, occuoied the much space in his newspaper to the R"andra distri land where now stands the lm1:1erial "productivity and potentialities," etc., Mr. Bruce .-' Hotel and other pls1.ces of business. This of the lands. When not writing these garden was the onlv be,,.uty spot in our dazzling articles he could be seen in the dmtv. drab little village. There was com­ day time and late into the night tapping success t parativelv a small area of tl--e rural dis­ people on the too button of their vests clai,med trict of Gilgandra cultivated a.n:l a large and one could safely gamble that ·•Mac·· of farmi area of it was not the•n regarded as was adopting these minor assaults on his reduced favourable for grazing purposes. Rab­ victims for the purpose of driving home Tu biters and sleeper-cutters were plying the newly discovered truth regarding garden. their callings in large numbers and teams our district. It was P. J. MacManus who a half a carting logs to a sawmill were frequently helped in a very large measure to put licensee o: to be seen. It was remarked by Mr. A . Gilgandra "on the map." that stoo,..; F. Garling, who at this time conducted Gilgandra had become, in a night, into the C a general store in the buildir.g now as it were, a land of promise �nd newly that his occupied hv the Western Stores and found EI Oerado, but disappointments Edgleys Ltd., that most of the ready and doubts began to arise. Some seasons money in Gilgandra came from rabbiters were ·· unsatisfactory. Share-farmers who and sleeper-cutters. On Sa turd av ( pav had obtained large credits could not dav) the hotels did a flourishing busi­ meet their liabilities and share-farming ness. It was quite common. on those days more or less became a thing of the past. to see the bars crowded to the doors . The farmers from Victoria were heard Between drinks, and, no doubt because to grumble. Much argument took place of thc,m, quite gory contests used to take before the Local Land Board as to the olace in Miller Street outside the Royal capital value ·of land in this district. Hotel. About this time Mr. Frederick Doleful tales were told as to failures in Haylt'thorn. stock and station agent of wheat growing in support of applications and erec� -­ Horsham, Victoria, and his salesmen. for re-appraisement of capital values, that this brought a few land seekers from Victoria and the pendulums of success and Chinama::i a:nd a sale or two took place. Thence failures swung to and fro. The price of This lease onward a veritable rush of land b11vers wheat had becom.e so low that farmers 1 00 feet - from Victoria set in, and properties were asserted wheat growing could not make sold and re-sold rapidly. Buyers began it pay. Yet farming still went on, and -erected to arrive from South Australia and from the impossible happened. A record yie,d divided other parts of New South Wales. The wa_s produced at the record price of 7 / 6 f��t w new arrivals, after purchasing, set about per bushel. Three hundred thousand bagil valued

------�------�------. 56 . HACK TO G 1 LG AND k A'

system. The GILGANDRA LUTHERAN CHURCH Koch, forme1 was inducte◄ the Gilgand1 of the Bidda tions, togeth at Bearbong fortnightly c SOME 40 years ago the magnet of good m 1920 of the first resident pastor, Rev. low-priced land began to attract C. Venz. His huge parish extended from Lutheran settlers from South Australia Bid.don and Gilgandra, in the north, to and Victoria, and later, from the River­ Alectown and Forbes, 13 0 miles south, ina of New South Wales. With many of and his modebike. of transport a bone-shak­ these early pioneers their greatest earth­ ing motor ly wealth was health, strength and a stout heart. Despite the many odds they HE .develc came up against in carving out new T in the C homes from the virgin bush, the spiritual larly hard to needs of life were not lost ,sight of. The fact that it w urge of common worship and Christian until 1912. fellowship brought them out of their was governec hum.ble slab huts along the rough bush The de tracks to their first meeting olace-the throughout a home of the late Mr. J. G. Scholz, about Blue Mounta.i four miles from Gilgan-dra, on the Bear­ in the history bong Road. Later they gathered for First m, worship in homes about half-wav be­ tween Biddon and Gilga dra. Th'.'!se were the homes of the Hankel and Linke families. Lutheran ministers fr'om the Riverina and Sydney travelled hundreds of miles several times a year to attend LUTHERAN CHURCH. to the spiritual needs of pioneer Luth­ eran families. The Dubbo-Coonamble In 1925 the GilgaP-dra congregation railway was, in those ,days, but a dream, dedicated a neat church of cement bricks. so the visiting pastor was met at Dubbo, in Eliz:ibeth Street. It was also in this not with a high-powered stream-lined year that the Rev. W. P. Lehmann took sed�n, but a buggy and pair. which rat­ charge, remaining until 1936. During his tled and bumped him over 5 0 miles of pastorate the parish made steady pro­ mostly atrocious roads to his destination. gress, despite the great distances separ­ Amon�st the families attending these ating the two sections. In 193 3 a re3.) early services were the Scholz, Haneke!, forward move was made, when the Reichelt, Linke and Semmler families. southern and northern ends of the parish decided to organise into �ep,rate ;:i3.�·ishes. The year 1913 saw the organisation Biddon and Gilgandra co;1gregation de­ of the Gilgandra district Lutherans, or cided to form a separate parish and the rather the greater part of them, into two comparatively small number of members congregations, under the lea.dershio of decided to .double their free-will church Rev. E. Graebner, of Sydnev. Early offerings in shouldering the heavy fin­ services were held in the Method;st ancial requiren1ents. 5ince 1933 the new from Dubbo Church, Biddon, and at Gilgandra, in parish has made steady headway, and established : the Union Hall, and later m the home firmly con1'olidated its position. Up to Taylor, "' of Mr. G. J. J. Molkentin. £400 are raised annually for various from I 8 I church purposes at home and at large. appointed A big step forward was the arrival all of it by the Biblical free-will offering less than

- 58 ''BALK TO CI LG A 1\J DK A.

ed signs of rapid growth, and though and Gilgandra was constituted a separate there were no churches in those early circuit with its own minister. days, the services. were hel.d in the Good T emplars' Hall, which has long since The first mm1ster was Rev. Stuart disappeared. Udy. Ministers since appointed to the circuit are as follows: 1913, Rev. John THE Par The list of ministers who served in R. Lee (now ·member of Drummoyne in was I the Coonar.nble circuit is as follows:­ the State Parliament); 1914, Rev. Wm. At the iru I 889-90, Rev. Wm. F. Oakes; 1891-2, Green; 1915, Rev. Wm. Jenkins; 1916, Rev. Ambrose Fletcher; 1893, Rev. Rev. Kay Mason; 1 91 7, Rev. Wm. Geo. H. Barrett; 1894, Rev. J. Herbert Butler; ·1918, Rev. Scarth Fleming; Chaseling; 1895-7, Rev. M. Scott-Flet­ 1919, Rev. Harold E. Burrows; 1920, cher, B.A.; 1898, Rev. J. Ward Harri­ Rev. Franch E. Donnison; 1921-2, Rev. son; 1899-0, Rev. H. E. Andrews; 1901, Joseph Wadkin; 1923-5, Rev, J. Stanley Under Chairman of District's care: 1902, Paine; I 9 26, Rev. Robert Grayson; Rev. John W. C. Horberry, 1903, Rev. 1927-9, Rev. Leslie R. Bensley; 1930- Wm. M. Woodhouse; 1904-6, Rev. Wm. 2, Rev, Wm. J. Harper; 1933-5, Rev. N. Lock, M.A.; 1907, Rev. C. Sedgwick Arnold C. Towner; 1936-37, Rev . Oliver; 1908, Rev. P. 0. Davis; 1909, Winston Jones; 19 37, .Rev. Wm. E. Rev. D. P. MacDonald; 191 0, Became Taylor, L. Th. Coonamble-Gilgandra Circuit; 191 0, Rev. S. W. Bonnor (Coonamble), Rev. In 1928 a fine Parsonage was erect­ S. Bostock Jones (Gilgandra); 191 I, ed on a splendid site in Womboin Street. Rev. W. J. Dunbar (Coonamble). Rev. Ralph Stanger ( Gilgandra). This review would not be complete without reference to the splendid service In 1897 the first church was built. rendered by Mr. W. Holswich as a local It was very fittingly a Union Church. preacher for 2 0 years or more. After the construction of the railway, McLachlan, Gil1;andra's progress knew no bounds, Schools (la and in 19 1 0 the Methodist Conference Schools), appointed the Rev. S. Bostock Jones to CHURCH OF CHRIST the Gilgandra end of the Coonamble Circuit. J. This was the first official appoint­ JN 1913 Mr. D. Butler and family 0� ment, but yeoman service was rendered ca.me to this district from Victoria, bv c:1. Mr. Winn. who was a Circuit Mis­ and settled at "Warwick," on the Men­ sionary. Mr. Wi:nn has the honour of dooran Road. In Horsham, the family JT is no being the first representative of the had been meeting with the people known Juggah. Metho:list Church to reside in Gilgandra. as Churches of Christ, so they immedi­ farm was t. ately began meetings in their home. It W'ls during the year 1910 that They were joined by the Mudford family the cliurch w,s built. Rev. D. P. Mac­ the following year. These meetings were Do"'"ld W'\S the Suµerintendent at Coon­ continued in the two homes until 1926, ;,_mble. Those responsible built first a when a. tent mission was conducted in building which was later expected to be the town by" Messrs. Baker and Clay . used as a School Hall, but to date their Meetings were then continued in the \'va visions and hopes have not been realised 1.0.0.F. Hall. The following year the as it was intended to build a church fac­ chapel in Warren Road wcs built and ing Myrtle Street. opened for worship in September. Three pnnchers have served with the churr:h: The following . year, 1911, Rev . Mr. C. Byi::nes, 1926-29; Mr. A. R. Ralph C. Stanger was appointed, and in Lloyd, 1930-1934; and Mr. I. J. Chivell, I 9 12 a further forward move was made, the present preacher. ------. 59: ------.. B A C- K- T- O- G-- -I --L G-- A N -D -R- --A ------P· AND C· ASSOCIATION

THE Parents and Citizens' Association the functions of the old School Boards oyne in was first formed in March, 1 9 1 7. and the newer organisations which were Rev. Wm. At the inaugural meeting, Mr. Alban to take their place. It was on the motion ·ns; 1916, of the first Secretary, Mr. J. Smirthwaitc, - Rev. Wm. that the P. a·nd C. Association was form­ Fleming; ed. The original office ·bearers were as· ows; 1920, foliows: Patron, Mr. Alban Mcl �achlan, <)21-2, Rev. B.A., lnsoector of Schools, Dubbo: Pre­ . ]. Stanley sident. Mr. A. F. Garling; Vice-Presid­ Grayson; ents, Dr. H. Peet and Mr. G. Rankin; -ley; 1930- Secretary. Mr. J. Smirthwaite; Treasurer. 33-5, Rev. Mrs. G. Rankin. -37, Rev . .. Wm. E. pastFor the 20 years the associ­ ation has been an active and vigorous body, catering for the material needs of the school and managing such social functions as the Empire Day Sports, which later became c�petitions for the Wes-tern Stores Cup. Many additions and service improvements to the school buiJ.ding and a local Mr. E. V. G. Townsend (President) grounds have been the direct result of the persistent advocacy o-f that body. McLachlan,. B.A., District Inspector of Schools (late Deputy Chief Inspector of Mr. E. V. G. Townsend is Presid­ 1ST Schools), gave an a.ddress touching on ent, and Mr. F. W. Pur.don Secretary.

and family OSTRICH FARM AT "THE JUGGAH" :n Victoria, �n the Men­ the family JT is not generally known that on "The laid something like 40 eggs each year �ople known J uggah," near Gilgandra, an ostrich and were-hatched in incubators, until the ey immedi­ farm was established in 1905. The pro­ supply exceeded the incubation space, eir home. perty was purchased from Mr. Mayford when the male birds assisted m the dford family Morris and is to-day owned by Mr . J . hatching. eetings were Johns. u:-itil I 9 26, At the time "The Juggah" enter­ D:iducted in The venture was owned by Captain prise was the only one in the State and and Clay . Cairnes artd Councillor Sanderson and crops of feathers were gathered every ued in the was successfully conducted for many <'ight months. With the sale of the pro­ g year the years. The dry, crisp climate of the dis­ perty, about 191 0, the birds were s built and trict provided a suitable breeding place rewoved to Coonamble. Prior to the 1nber. Three for the birds. whilst the light, red soil establishment of the farm, the South the churr.h: resulted in an excellent plumage. The Australian Government offered the own­ nr. A. R. holding at that time comprised some ers 5,000 acres as a free grant-enough I. Chivell, J. 3,000 acres and portion of this was to run 25 0 birds-to establish the in­ netted into areas of 1 5 acres. The birds dustry in that State. 60 ··a A C K T O G I L -G A N D R A" TENNIS IN GILGANDRA Nelson, � others. In 19 grown with TENNIS in Gilgandra has force to be reckoned with at the, various to the N.� to true championship meetings, the wn and district and is a to grant c progress that has been As the town progressed it was reflection of the l>ilgandra made over the past 2 5 years. The firs� necessary to move the town club to the champions, courts were locate.d near ldaleigh private park, where one court was established fhis is hel hospital and those who were prominent about 1912. This continued for several has attract, players some 2 5 years ago included years until a progressive move for addi­ Willard. J (Arma­ Albert and George Richardson tional courts resulted in three being put Thelma Cc tree), Bill Wheaton ( Kickabil), Phil down, these being later top-dressed with standing r Wheaton (Eumungerie), N. W. Farrand, Dubbo gravel and a further three were J. 0. And A. F. Fitzhardinge, Spencer Barden. made, making a total of six courts :,_n exhibit Misses Barden (later Mrs. Farrand and to-day. Iiams, fror Mrs. Fitzhardinge), Miss Carter Wheato!1 1923 About keen interest was dis­ "n nl!c>J to1 (now IVlrs. Brown, of Gulargambone), played in district tournaments and a cup For I Rt. Hon. Weble (Everton Station), G was donated by Mr. H. Foran, of Tatter­ Christie h, G. Lee (Shire Clerk), lvo Beavis (now sall' s Hotel, for competition amongst < succeeded Chamber Magistrate at Burwool), Ben teams, same to be won three years in succession. This was achieved by the Coonabarabran team, comprising Dr. Docker, Arnold and Roy Brown and Middleton, who were far superior to any of the district teams. However, another THE fir cup was forthcoming from Mr. E. S. with th Lewis, of Tattersall' s Hotel, a:nd Coona­ was on AR barabran were excluded from competi­ ing were · tion, Dubbo being ad;mitted. T}leir team Messrs. P. comprised Doug Yeo, W. H. Christie, waite, J. L. Yeo and D. Gavel, and it was not Smith and long before they won the cup outright, despite ·strong opposition from our own team and from Gulargambone, Collie and Coonamble. The main players for Gilgandra at this time were W. A. Brown, A. Krohn, Alf Weston (one of the best secretaries Mr. G. Christie (President) the club ever had), Bill Highfield, Stan Howard and Stuart Anderson. .:..nd Summers Barling, and later Norman Lovett, Blackall, and others. At the same time a ladies' team Two of the best lady tennis players match was also held and there was the West ever produced were Mrs. always keen competition between Gil­ Farrand and Mrs.· Fi-tzhardinge, the lat­ gandra and Eumungerie for 'The Weekly' ter winning the country championship cup. Both these cups are still open for two years in succession, on one occasion r.ompetition. Eumungerie had a particu· meeting her siste�. in the final. Another larly strong team in Misses Edna and champion was Bill Wheaton, than whom Joan Wheaton, Miss May Lee, Miss Elsie there was not an equal in the West when Matthews and Mrs. N. Strahorn, whilst in his prime. Phil Wheaton was also a Gilgandra had the services of Miss Pearl player of no mean ability and is still a Reakes, Miss Aileen Leake, Miss Susie

· B A C K C I L C A N D R A'' -- ---64 ------.·- T O ------c THE COMMERCIAL BANKING M LEOD'S FLOUR COMPANY OF SYDNEY GC MILL LIMITED THE Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited was the first bank THE first g to open in this town. It commenced busi­ situated o THE building of Messrs. M. McLeod's ness in Cilgandra on 28th July, 1900, Hospital, and Flour Mill, at Cilgandra, ✓was com­ in a small room 10 x I 2 in the late A . Street. Then, menced in the year 1909, and was com­ F . Carling's store, where the present and those w pleted during December, 1910. Mr. bank building now stands . The present Farra:nd, Be Murdock McLeod lai,d the last brick, and site was purchased in the year 1908, Lee, MacMa.i. hardinge and move was IIl2

--�.

The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited

and the ex1stmg premises erected there­ McLeod's Flour Mill on in I 9 I O by Messrs. Hocking Brothers, View of C contractors, under the supervision ot to to do this it was necessary for him Messrs. Kent, Budden and Greenwell, a course used :i climb to the top of the "smoke stack", architects. Managers: 1900-1903, Mr . eastern side o where the last brick of the building was C. F. Antill; 1903-1910, Mr. I. B. plavers then we laid. This smoke stack is sixty feet high. Faunce; 1910-1923, Mr. C. Rankin: Tibbits, L. D. Mr. McLeod also opened the stem valve 1923-1937, Mr. W. A. Brown. and S. Hitch� of the engine, setting the mill off on its Mudie, Brims-• initial run. The first manager was Mr. J. and M. Cos::· K. Bruce. Mr. C. Offner, the initial en­ COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS gineer, still occupies that position to-day. APPEARING IN THIS When The first Miller-in-Charge was Mr. F. BOOKLET Camble; the first packerman, Mr. P. C. sary to secure Rose; the first storeman, Mr. J. F ardell; or Enlargements therefrom, may be made to the and the first bookkeeper, Mr. Field. The obtained at "The Weekly" Office. has functione, present manager is Mr. J. H. Hiatt. The Send one of these souvenir Booklets Patron, Mr. , number of men employed during the year to your friends. It would be appre­ sident, Mr L varies. During the wheat season about . ciated and advertise your town and twenty-six men are employed, and for ents, Messrs. .: district. Brown, the rest of the year about eighteen or L. Only a limited number of these books nineteen. The hourly output of flour is 6½ Munro; Com,-,;. have been printed, so secure your sacks (200Ibs.). A Krohn, £..,. ·: extra copies at once. J. Morris, A.. .�

. 68 ·B A C K-TO G I L G A N D R A'"

a bridle track, too narrow at times for next to the Commercial Bank. This was two horsemen to ri.de abreast. After in 1884 and my brother Jack and I were leaving Boborah, where Mother Reid. the first to cross with a team of 1 8 kept the hotel, there was not another bullocks, carrying timber from Mr • NTIL I residence until one reached Coalbaggie, Gray's (who built the bridge) to my own U Ballad where the late Tom Foran's father- had selection. The bridge was later offici­ Road, wh the hotel. Gilgandra then was a very ally opened by Mrs. Morris with cham­ Mrs. John small place and the only means com.­ pagne, and the occasion was celebrated of her. The municating with the outside world was by holding a big ball on the bridge, ent amon by mails carried on pack-horses from dancing continuing until sunrise. district, fo Mudgee, through Gilgandra to Curban In the early day fish were rather Mr. and ar:d Coonamble. Some of the old hands s plentiful in the Castlereagh and in 1890 children fi conveying the mails at that time whom arrival is · I remember were Billy Hill, Tom Pank­ I remember seeing the late James Markey shoot fish with a gun at the mem.bers c hurst (better known as Tow the Jaston), night of t and Jimmy Walden (brother of John Cur ban crossing. From various mark­ ings made in the early days I can defin­ lost ever Walden, of Quambone). Later the their lives mails were brought from Dubbo by Cobb itely say that the river in many parts has ten tree and r, and Co.'s coaches. The first police filled up with sand to a -depth of feet and over. There were many fine a dav. A station was in charge of Cusack and Station fo water holes in the old Castlereagh when . Burton, at Curban, and then Dolman, stone took I first came here, but there are very few Brow�, Trebil!ock and others. 1878. bul now, mainly due to this sand having secured a been carried down from the hills higher The first store-keeper was Mr . in forre u up. After doing my residence on Spring Trimm, who sold his busiTiess to Mr. In a Vale I went carrying for years through Marsh ( who later moved to Mendoor­ reagh'' ne to Wallerawang. for Berida Station, then an) . The late J. G. Brown, of Dubbo, Johnstone owned by Edward Flood, and where then purchased the ·business and had as the 1874 they shore 120,000 sheep. My last trip his manager Mr. Cadden. Then came had only with the waggon was in I 880, to take Mr . Main, who sold to the late A. F. the time my father's wool from New• Lawn to Garling. \Vhen he opened his new stor� children. Wellington th nearest railway. Later, on the site where the Western Stores now , e to seek upon the retirement m father 1 is he celebrated with a big dinner, and of y , children declared open by the member fo, purchased his property and now have Coonamble-Mr. Hugh McDonald. At the two properties which we selected that time dances were held in the Mech­ sixty years ago. anics' Institute, music being supplied by J oc H.::.rn:en (Collie), with a violin, Jack Mrs. Gaynon can lay claim to close Collison, Charles Fowler, and Bob Diggs, associatiO'n with the early days of the with concertinas. district, for her father, the late W. J • Carey, came to manage Curba:n Station The late Mrs. Morris kept the first in the year 1865 for Mr. Crossing, of hotel as far as I can remember, and Mudgee. The station at that time was late Bob Townsend built the Bridge a big cattle run and on one occasion, Hotel, on the site where the Royal Hotel after the sale of 300 head of cattle, a bushranger named . Johnstone held up now stands. The walls were of piesa family and he obtained the soil from his back Mr. Carey and .demanded the purchase money. Luckily, Mr. Crossing had left • hours, yard and afterwards filled in the hole the c during the night with the money. Later with sand from the river. The clock on the Mr. Carey purchased Yalcogrin, now which used to keep time in the bar is in fall fro the property of Mr. Pagan, and after­ my possession and is still keeping good their time. I well remember the first bridge wards conducted a __ hotel on th; pro- across the Castlereagh at Bridge Street, , perty. After retirement he lived in Parramatta until his death in 1924.

------. 70 . 8 A C K T O G I L G A ND R A"

a move w Fisher Smi pound yard young Mon for some tu majority w, of the first open in th

v the Settlemi -. -�..,1.3".'"! •·:•.;1 . 2,547 acres • :<1�. �. • ' . · '�,a:..11111•' _" . , �·. ' ' ""f :t tj ';j��J n•'\ l!f,,"!P--t,•�� - tion. Later Jr}-...... ---�·z ·r-:�-\ ·""" purchased l and then n selling this � farm he wet Messrs. Mill MOUNTAIN VIEW HOTEL, CU.l{BAN, 1877, conducted by James branch of!ia Markey. In the picture are Mrs. W. Blowse and William Blowse, Mrs. firm, where Markey and A. E. Markey, Tom Markey, Mrs. J. Marchant, and J. Markey. From the P.11shman's Arms Hotel hv the late MR. MAYFORD MORRIS present day Mrs. Morris. The surroundings were To have been born in Gilgandra, in the da:y dense scrub and described as Mrs. educated here and remained in the town in the m Morris' paddock. At the age of 11 vears, ever since is the record of Mr . Mayford to ride 3 Mrs. Humphrev moved with her hmily Morris, a member of one of the early miles to to Curban, where her fa•her took up pioneer families. He first saw the light land. and later built the Mountain View of day in the Bushman's Arms Hotel on Hotel, situated on the Gilgandra side of October 1 8, 1 8 72, and was two years the river, near where the low-level cross­ of age when the big flood came . 'He ing bridg-e now is. Later Mr. Markey attended the first school in Gilgandra, selected "Rose Hill," in the Mendooran which was down the river near Wrigley's district, where he resi.ded until his death crossing. There were about 40 pupils at the age of 69 years in 191 3. He was then and f'l'Tr. Kensitt "f'as the first teach­ a native of Windsor and had been in this er. Within 1 2 months the school accom­ district for c-ver 5 0 ye:irs. Her mother modation could not hold the pupils and was a native of Pe!lrith-Sarah Blowes. At the time Mrs. Humphrey resid­ ed at "Er"nganerin", the ne:irest big town was Mu.dgee, from where supplies . were broup-ht by bullock waggons. The . first mail was by pack-horse, and lateT Cobb and Co.' s coaches-three times a week. The license of the Imperial Hotel \ ' .. ! ·1 was orif?'i:i:illy that of the Bushman's i,. '·. · , Arms Hotel · (later known as the Tele­ ' matches. graph Hotel). The Royal Hotel was \ \ as nee ., Those formerly known as the Bridge Hotel, -�,\ and was first kept bv Bob Townsend, '\ ,�• by Mrs . - then Jack Murray. When Con Curran q oldest came across from Horsham (Victoria) � life in it was known as the Royal Hotel. Where � f' when h the Imperial Hotel now stands was a held ca huge Chinaman's garden. Mr. Mayford Morris died h