CORNISH ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA, INC. AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER No. 95 – August 2010

Corporation Reg. No. A0008264A Newsletter Registered by Australia Post as Print Publication No.381667/00087 The publication of this Newsletter is assisted by a grant from the Victorian Multicultural Commission

Oakleigh Baptist Church, Cnr of Warrigal Road and Moorookyle Avenue, Oakleigh (Melway: 69 E10) SPRING PROGRAM: AUG — OCT 2010

AUGUST: Saturday 21st: Information Resource Centre Open 10am to 1.30pm 2 pm: ‘WHAT’S NEW AT THE PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE OF VICTORIA - internet, wikis and all that,’ presented by James McKinnon, Manager Online Business Development from the PROV. Come prepared with those unanswered questions

Monday 23rd: Information Resource Centre Open 10am to 2pm

SEPTEMBER: Tuesday 14th: Information Resource Centre Open 10am to 2pm

Saturday 18th: Information Resource Centre Open 10am to 1.30pm

2pm: ‘PAINTING A BLACK SHEEP WHITE’ presented by Rev. Dr Robert Gribben Outlining the story of a lost Cornish great, great Uncle Joseph Gribben

Monday 27th: Information Resource Centre Open 10am to 2pm

OCTOBER: Tuesday 5th: Information Resource Centre Open 10am to 2pm

Saturday 16th: Information Resource Centre Open 10am to 1.30pm

2 pm: ‘THE EDEN PROJECT ’ presented by Ted & Beryl Curnow A top garden, and tourist attraction and educational charity near . It has been created from a reclaimed China Clay Pit and includes the world’s largest greenhouse. See delightful visuals of the four seasons of Eden.

Monday 25th: Information Resource Centre Open 10am to 2pm

Please note: Tuesday Library Day in October has been brought forward one week for the Victorian Seniors Festival CORNISH ASSOCIATION IN THIS ISSUE: OF VICTORIA, INC.

Regular features: OFFICE-BEARERS: Quarterly Program ...... 1 Index & Notices to Members ...... 2 President: Mr Neil Thomas Ph: 03 5278 3250 President’s Report AGM...... 3 [email protected] A Word from the New President...... 5 Immediate Past President: Information Resource Centre ...... 7 Mr Derek Trewarne St Just Group...... 8 Ph: 03 9457 3967 - & Central Mining District Research Group .. 9 [email protected] Celtic Concerns ...... 10 Secretary: Miss June Whiffin News from the Branches and Groups ...... 11 Ph: 03 9877 2968 New Members Cornish/Australian Family History Interests……..14 [email protected] Articles: Treasurer: Mr Rod Phillips ‘Thomas Pellew’ poem by Mick Paynter ...... 4 Ph: 03 9807 1950 ‘Obby ’Oss by Judith Crocker ...... 6 [email protected] Growing Up in St Just—Boyhood memories of Joseph Williams...8 Kernewek Lowender ...... 13 Membership Officer: Ms Petra Cox Events Coming Up...... 12 Ph: 03 9579 5172 Local History Grant ...... 12 [email protected] Financial Report 2009-10...... 15 Public Officer: Mr Peter Trevorah Spirit of Mystery returns to Cornwall...... 16 Ph: 03 9482 6428 [email protected]

Ballarat Branch (Secretary): ROSTER VOLUNTEERS Mrs Lenice Stuchbery Meeting Date Door Attendant Duty Officer Ph: 03 5332 2580 Sat 21 Aug Brian Tresidder Lynette Madden [email protected] Sat 18 Sept Loris Bailey Fern Matthews Geelong Branch (Secretary): Sat 16 Oct Brian Tresidder Petra Cox Mrs Shirley Lindsay Ph: 03 5251 2693 Enquiries re Roster—Contact Alison Stephen 03 9879 3990 [email protected] Would all members please wear their Membership Cards when attending events CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary 19 Monash Grove CHRISTMAS IS COMING Blackburn South 3130 Donations required for the Christmas Hamper please see SUBSCRIPTIONS: Fern Matthews or Petra Cox. The Treasurer 5 Virginia Street Mount Waverley 3149

The CAV Newsletter is published in February, May, August & Membership: November and distributed via post and email. Single: $27.00 For email distribution contact the Membership Officer Family: $40.00 Life: $300.00 Deadlines for contributions: Summer issue: Saturday 16th Oct 2010 WEBSITE: Autumn issue: Saturday 15th Jan 2011 http://home.vicnet.net.au/~caov/ Winter issue: Saturday 16th Apr 2011 NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Mrs Elizabeth Egan Submissions welcomed at any time but must be received by the Ph: 03 9762 6459 deadline date. [email protected]

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 2 of 16 THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT – AGM, JUNE 2010

The past twelve months has been an extremely busy period for the Association as pressure intensified to find new premises and at the same time details for the various activities associated with the Cornish Festival in March had to be firmed up. Still we got there in the end! I’m sure you will agree, the new premises at Oakleigh are excellent despite the fact we are a little more pressed for storage space for the library material than at the Hughesdale location. At this point I would like to acknowledge all those who worked so hard in the actual move in January and the on-going work, under Lindsay Chapman’s leadership, associated with the library facilities. Last October brought to finality all the activities associated with the re-enactment voyage of ‘Spirit of Mystery’ from Cornwall earlier last year. A permanent record of the voyage was established, when a plaque to commemorate this fine achievement and the initial voyage of the ‘Mystery’ was unveiled at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria in Williamstown. It has been affixed to the new external wall of the club facilities in Nelson Place. Another matter of note last year was the induction of our Treasurer Rod Phillips as a Bard of Gorseth Kernow – a most worthy recipient of this honour. As usual at each monthly meeting our members were informed and entertained by various speakers, each of whom had clearly devoted a lot of work in researching their particular subject. Attendances have been steady at around 60 to 70 with the talk from Kate Burridge attracting over 90 people. I am most grateful to the speakers for the time taken in preparation and in sharing their knowledge with our Association members. The big event for 2010 was certainly the ‘Welcome Back Cousin Jack’ Festival at Eaglehawk in March. We were very fortunate to experience fine weather for the duration of the Festival and although it represented over 12 months work in the lead up, all the effort was worthwhile as it proved to be a wonderful success. So many people were involved that is very hard to single anyone out, but I feel I must acknowledge the considerable work done by Secretary June Whiffin and the late Margaret Owens, whose tragic passing in January was a very sad event for her family, the Association, and her network of friends world wide. I should also make mention of the wonderful co- operation we had from David Richards of Eaglehawk and his team on the Dahlia and Arts Festival Committee and members of the Eaglehawk Heritage Society. Financial assistance is always welcome and recently our Association was most fortunate to receive a generous grant under the Local History Grants Program 2009-2010. This was in response to an excellent submission by Moira Drew regarding the collection of resources relating to the modes of travel and routes taken between the copper mines of South Australia and the Victorian goldfields in 1851 and 1852. Over my time as President, I have come to realise the dedication and good work performed by the branches of the Cornish Association in Geelong and Ballarat, the Bendigo and District Cornish Association and the Borderers’ Group in educating others about our Cornish heritage and making known the contribution made by our Cornish forbears. Keep up the good work! Last but not least, I would like to thank all those many members of the Cornish Association who have helped, supported and provided advice to me over my two year term as your President. In saying this, I include all those who take their turn on the various rosters, preparation June Whiffin receiving her Honorary Life Membership from President Derek and cleaning up in the hall, catering and activities associated with Trewarne afternoon tea at the conclusion of our meetings. I am also most grateful to Lindsay and Alison Chapman and their team of dedicated helpers at the Resource Centre; Past President Glen Grigg and Patron Bill Phillips for their help and advice and all those associated with the newsletter over my term of Office, in particular Lesley Morton, Monica Donaldson, Liz Egan, Viv Martin, Moira Drew and Petra Cox. Finally I owe a great debt of gratitude to our hard working Treasurer Rod Phillips and Secretary June Whiffin for her unstinting work, help and guidance – behind every successful organisation, and its President, is a good Secretary! Finally, I wish the in-coming President and his new Committee every success. Derek Trewarne President, Cornish Association of Victoria, Inc. Photo courtesy Arthur & Robyn Coates

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 3 of 16 THOMAS PELLEW 15/10/1738

Ha’n ewnter kuv hag y worhel hweg Both kind uncle and his precious boat Kemmerys oll ogas dhe’n arvor teg Near to Brittany’s fair shore were taken, all afloat, A Vreten Vyghan, yn nes dhe Gernow dha So near to our good Cornwall and old Penryn, Ha Pennryn koth, hendre an teylu na. Hometown to this family, hometown of these kin.

Y’n byttys vil a’n dhorvagh Sarsyn down, In the vile pits of Moorish dungeon deep, Tormentys lies dydh gans ankredor, Tortured for many days, by men of unbelief, Heb ger a drayson, gans arwoedh a vys, With signal of my finger, no word said to betray, Y tiskwedhis dhedha ow omdhaskorr. My submission to them I did thus display.

Dug a Veknes a Danja Pasha, my. Commander of Meknes of Tangier Pasha, me. An marghek brav a vyghternedh heb lett. A soldier fine of kingship unrestrained. Ow gwreg, ow myrgh ledhys, ha my yn mes. My wife, my daughter killed, and me away. Gwas lel a dreus an blydhenyow ar’n yet. Faithful servant through years at the gate.

Neb peder blydhen warn ugens, diwedh, Some four and twenty years on, is the end, Arta dhe Vreten Veur y teuth vy frank. Again to greater Britain I came free. Leskys dillasenn Sarsyn y’n gorflann Moorish clothes burnt in the churchyard A Bennryn ker, dhe Gernow goth, diank. Of dear Penryn. And to Cornwall and escape for me.

By Mick Paynter

Grand Bard Mick Paynter was born in St Ives, Cornwall and initiated as Grand Bard under the Bardic name Skogynn Pryu (Worm’s Fool) in September, 2009. He has written several collections of poetry in Cornish with English translations.

Photo courtesy Susan Davey

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 4 of 16 A WORD FROM THE NEW PRESIDENT

Firstly, I take this opportunity to thank the members of the CAV for inviting me to be your President for the next twelve months and am looking forward to the challenge. It is in unfortunate circumstances that I take on this role as Margaret Owens, who was to be our next President, died suddenly earlier this year. I would also like to congratulate our Immediate past President, Derek Trewarne, for doing such a great job as President and to acknowledge the assistance that he has given me in settling in to my new position. I would like to thank the Committee members for taking up their roles and look forward to working as a team to promote our Cornish heritage over the coming year. Although I have been President of the Geelong Branch of the CAV for the last ten years, I am not a familiar face at the Melbourne Incoming President with Hartley meetings. However, I am looking forward to meeting up with as many May and Tren Harvey at AGM. members as possible. Briefly about myself, I grew up on a dairy farm near Port Fairy that fronted on to the Southern Ocean. I am now retired but over my working career I was a PMG technician and then a TAFE teacher. My wife Marilyn and I have three grown up sons and three grandchildren. It was fortunate that I was interested in my Cornish ancestry from a young age as I questioned my elderly relatives about my family history. If I had not recorded their narratives they would have been lost with their passing. Instead, I have a wonderful collection of interesting little anecdotes and stories about my Cornish ancestors. My Cornish great grandfather Richard Edward Thomas, operated a mill with a wheel that was turned by the River. That river has been known to flood throughout history. Within a few weeks of being married at Kenwyn my great grandparents boarded an immigrant ship and landed at Portland in 1852. They then proceeded to Port Fairy where they rented a cottage. Along with his brother, my great grandfather headed off to the Ballarat gold fields while my great grandmother Catherine Thomas nee Michell, was left to fend for herself in Port Fairy. Not being one to sit around waiting for the menfolk to come home Catherine showed great pioneering spirit and set up a vegetable garden in her back yard. Owing to the gold rush, labourers were scarce and vegetables were bringing a high price. When her husband returned home it turned out that she had made more money by selling vegetables than he did at the gold fields. However, Richard Thomas did find enough gold to make his wife a wedding ring. After working as a stone mason on the building of St John’s Anglican Church in Port Fairy they then went on to become successful farmers in the Yambuk area. At one stage he purchased the Yambuk Inn. Some of you may know this building with its distinctive dormer windows. There may be a little bit of Cornish superstition here, but he owned that premises for ten years to the day. I am looking forward to a successful year for the CAV.

President Neil Thomas

New Committee members with Immediate retiring President Derek Trewarne

Photos courtesy Arthur & Robyn Coates

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 5 of 16 ‘OBBY ‘OSS

The ‘Obby ‘Oss is a link to the ancient British people on the north coast of Cornwall four thousand years ago. The ‘Oss featured during the Saxon and Roman Wars, the Sacking of by the Danes, the Wars of the Roses, The Spanish Armada and The Napoleonic War. To visit Padstow on May Day is an unforgettable experience. The beautiful little town, cut in an amphitheatre of hills running down to the harbour, becomes alive with music. The Old Red Ribbon ‘Oss, and the Blue Ribbon ‘Oss, are fertility symbols, and there is a definite feeling of raw power when the drums start their pounding and hypnotic beat. The accordions pulsate, and the dancers sway as they surround the great grotesque black shape of the ‘Oss in his weird mask. His partner, the Teaser, brandishes a carved or painted club as they push their way through the vast crowds that pack the town, which is decorated with green boughs Neil Thomas and Judith Crocker and nautical flags flying from every house. The Blue ‘Oss proceeds to go one way and the Red ‘Oss another. The music will suddenly slow, the ‘Oss sinks to its knees, and the Mayers in white, wearing buttonholes of bluebells and cowslips sing, ‘Oh, where is St George?’ with sentimental fervour, while the 'Oss is coaxed back to life again by the Teaser. The first tune returns with its haunting refrain and invigorating drum rhythms. The procession moves on, up to Prideaux Place or off to some other place to visit, until the final meeting of the two teams just before midnight in the decorated square where the Maypole forms a centre. After a farewell song, the two ‘osses’ are restored to their ‘stables’ and Padstow puts away its wonderful tradition for a another year. The ‘Obby ‘Oss costume in the photo was made by Lesley Morton, from the Cornish Association of Victoria. Neil Thomas or Tom Govern play the ‘Obby ‘Oss with Judith Crocker as the Teaser. Judith Crocker

GET WELL WISHES: to John Mildren Ballarat Branch President, who is now home from hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery

HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY BILL PHILLIPS

Patron Bill Phillips receiving his 80th Birthday present from June Whiffin at the CAV AGM in June

Photos courtesy Arthur & Robyn Coates

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 6 of 16 INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTRE

By Lindsay Chapman Ph: 03 9555 3645

OPENING DAYS: AUGUST Tuesday 3 Saturday 21 Monday 23 SEPTEMBER Tuesday 14 Saturday 18 Monday 27 OCTOBER Tuesday .5 Saturday 16 Monday 25 NOVEMBER Tuesday 9 Saturday 20

Opening hours: Mondays & Tuesdays 10am - 2pm. Saturdays 10am - 1.30pm

NOTE: The Victorian Seniors Festival is to be held during the first week in October thus the change in date for our Tuesday opening. The program for that day will include an audio-visual presentation highlighting aspects of Cornish heritage and an introduction to the extensive range of genealogical and supporting reference material that is freely available to our members.

NEW INITIATIVE: As an added attraction to our Saturday meetings the IRC is providing topical DVDs for showing prior to the opening of the afternoon session. If you are not attending the morning research session we recommend that you take advantage of the excellent facilities by arriving early to browse the reference and fiction shelves then enjoy a cuppa and watch the visual presentations.

A selection of Recent Acquisitions.

Victorian Historical Journal Vol 80 -Parts 1 & 2 AUS VIC RHS ’s Story M. Dundrow CON MAD Dun Cornwall Register of 1847 John Wallace CON Wal Includes references to 209 parishes of Cornwall and adjoining towns and parishes in Devon The Cornwall Register. Vol 1 & 2 Transferred from our Geelong Branch CON Celtic Tide in Cornwall R. Race CON CEL Rac Includes information relating to numerous parishes in Cornwall Hard Jacka Biographical novel of WW1 VC winner Albert Jacka. BIO JAC Law by M. Lawrinsky Donated by Corinne Thompson Gorseth Byrth Kernow – Bards of the Gorsedd of Cornwall 1928 – 1996 CEL GOR Donated by Janet Woolhouse 150 Years of Anglican presence on Bakery Hill (Ballarat) 1854 – 2004 CHU AUS VIC BAL Around & About Clay Country – Cornwall & Devon 1872 – 1924 CON MIN Bra Victorian Land Freeholders Vol.1 R. G. Porteous AUS VIC BAL Por A comprehensive Index of the land purchased and settled on in the Ballarat and surrounding parishes after the gold rush period of the 1850’s. The name of each freeholder and date was extracted, and the earliest reference was listed to assist as a guide to obtaining further detail from Government records. Donated by Dell Thompson Dear Old Cornwall – A Collection of Camera Studies by E. C. Arnold CON Arn An ‘early 20th Century’ publication of photographs of a wide selection of locations across Cornwall. Revealed - a present day view of Redruth DVD The Murdoch Flyer - Ten Years Work DVD A record of the building of the replica model of the ‘Murdoch Flyer’. The above 3 items donated by Val Goldsworthy Tyskennow Kernow 2 DVD A collection of short films made in and about Cornwall and the . Donated by Ted Chapman (Cornwall) Baptisms–Regn’s of Uniting Church Bapts within West. Aust. 1840 -1999 CD Passenger Arrivals in Western Australia 1839 - 1890 CD

In addition to the above we have received from various members extracts from recent Cornwall newspapers with news of festivals etc held during May & June 2010.

We thank all members for their donations.

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 7 of 16 GROWING UP IN ST JUST The St Just Group: From Boyhood Memories of Joseph Roger Covers the Parishes of , , Williams (1943-1963) St Just in , Cornwall Gulval, St Hilary, St Ives, St Just in Penwith (inc.), , , ,

Madron (inc. ), , St Miss F. W. Thomas (1873-1966) Michael’s Mount, , Paul, , , , , Every community has its notable citizens, and the as did St Just. The person who stands out most in my memory was Miss Florence Wilmot Thomas Research Officer & Editor: Alison Stephen known as Florrie Thomas. Miss Thomas was the Ph: 03 9879 3990 granddaughter of Henry Grills Thomas, notable Email: [email protected] Draper and Grocer of St Just. He was the author of “A Shop Keepers Diary” – an interesting look into the life of St Just in Penwith in 1843. His shop was located between Market Square and Bank Square. Behind the shop was another building built in 1855 to house members of his staff. This building became the residence of Miss Florrie Thomas and was know as Penwith House.

Miss Thomas was well respected in St Just and West Penwith. For many years was the Justice of the Peace, County Councilor, Chairman of the Governors of Penzance Grammar School for Girls and Humphry Davey Grammar School, Chairman of Second School St Just, manager and vice chair of West Penwith Primary Schools. She was also a foundering member of the St Just Women’s Institute and active in the life of St Just Parish Church and many other aspects of St Just life.

When I was about eight years old, Miss Thomas knew that I was interested in gardening and employed me after school and weekends in her large walled vegetable garden and at her residence. My first job there was to take an old bone handle knife and remove all the moss between the cobblestones in her back yard. For this work, Miss Thomas offered me a half a crown, at first I refused but after a stern lecture about a job well done deserves to be rewarded I accepted. I never refused again.

Miss Thomas became a great mentor to me as I was growing up. She was a formidable lady, feared by some who did not know her well but respected by all. I was blessed to have known her and called her a friend. She was very unhappy with me when I left St Just for Canada in 1963. I was grateful to Dr. A. P. Derrington, one of my former teachers who on a visit to Canada some years ago brought me a few mementos from the estate of this grand old lady.

Her memory will be with me as long as I live. Contribution by Alison Stephen

ST JUST GROUP CONVENOR

The St Just Group needs a Convenor, is there any member interested in taking on this role? If there is enough interest we could form a small committee to help run this group - If so please contact me a.s.a.p. If any members would like to read or a have copy of the minutes of the St Just - Pendeen Old Cornwall Society Meetings, please contact Alison Stephen. In the March and April minutes there has been some discussion on Cape Cornwall Road and Cape Cornwall Street. Are these two roads or one? Mail has gone astray so a decision has to be made as to the correct name, street or road. Watch this space for the outcome.

Alison Stephen

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 8 of 16 CAMBORNE– GWENNAP & CENTRAL MINING DISTRICT RESEARCH GROUP NEWS

For the listed parishes the Group has compiled The group focuses on the Ancient Parishes of: Breage, Budock, Cam- many local and family histories and general borne, Constantine, , Falmouth, Feock, , Gwennap, references, also the following: Gwinear, , , , Kea, Kenwyn, Mabe,, Mylor, ,, Perranzabule, Rudruth, , Parish Records: , St Agnes, St Clement, , Truto St Mary, • Baptisms to 1845 –with some to 1875. . • Non Conformist Baptisms 1837–1900. Modern Parishes: - formed from parts of the Ancient Parishes: , • Marriage Indexes up to 1837 for all parishes, , , ,, Flushing, St Elwyn with some to 1909. (), Lannarth (Lanner), , , Pencoys, • Burials and Monumental Inscriptions. , , Redruth-St Andrew, , Treslothan, • The Bawden Transcripts of Baptisms, Tuckingmill, Truro-St George, St John and St Paul. Marriages and Burials -up to 1845–for the parishes of St Agnes, Crowan, Gwennap, Convenor: Alison Chapman (03) 9555 3645 Illogan, Redruth, Sithney, Wendron. Email: [email protected] • Census records from 1841 to 1891; Wills and Probates.

Members interested in searching these resources are reminded that help is always available either by visiting the Information Resource Centre at Oakleigh or by contacting the Convenor.

In the May issue of this Newsletter we featured our Trevithick Day keynote address “A View of the Parish of Gwennap” that was presented by Bill Phillips. The supporting address was given by Lindsay Chapman who gave an account of Richard Trevithick’s activities during 1810. A summary of his address follows:

On our Trevithick Day program each year we have been looking back some 200 years and discovering more of the life and endeavours of Cornwall’s brilliant engineer Richard Trevithick. After the hurried production of a steam railway locomotive and its demonstration in London during 1808 Richard had spent two years living in rather squalid conditions near the Thames docks caring for the operation of several of his portable high pressure steam engines and manufacturing iron storage tanks earning only a scant return for his endeavours. During 1809 Jane and their 10 year old son Richard had with some reluctance moved from Cornwall to join Richard in London.

Whilst selling off shares in his original patent for high pressure steam engines had raised a little capital he gained little from the many engineers that were manufacturing portable engines to his design and a patent that still had six years to run. In May 2010 Richard Trevithick fell desperately ill and with the help of her brother, Henry Harvey, Jane arranged for their return to Cornwall.

The country was then at war with France so they set off on the Falmouth Packet with a gun brig as escort. First it was a three day voyage then a stop at Dover, and shortly after leaving Dover a French warship appeared and gave chase. The more skilled British skipper was able to navigate the difficult near-shore passage and three days later they arrived safely in Falmouth, by then Richard had recovered enough for him to then walk home.

Soon after his return he became acquainted with Sir Christopher Hawkins MP for St Ives, a wealthy land owner who lived in a fine Georgian mansion at Trewithan near Truro. Hawkins had used his wealth and influence to be elected a Member of Parliament for St Ives and as such was responsible for many local works programs, in particular the further development of the harbour at St Ives. Well aware of Trevithick’s various abilities his first business contact was to seek advice on the construction of a breakwater to provide better facilities for the fishing fleets. This was a consultancy that Richard promptly attended and claimed for his time and expenses.

However, although his health was improving his business interests were collapsing, his partnership in the London ventures with Robert Dickenson had often suffered from poor decisions by both men and had accrued large debts resulting in the partners being declared bankrupt in February 1811. How Richard recovered from that situation and gained further fame is a story for another day. Contributed by Alison Chapman

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 9 of 16 CELTIC CONCERNS

The Language Group has indeed had a couple of very profitable Yethow an Werin of late. Our leading linguist, Stephen Morey, recently found himself working at LaTrobe University beside Dr Guillaume Jacques, an eminent linguist who was visiting our shores. So, very stealthily, Stephen began to interrogate his colleague as to exactly which part of France the good doctor’s family had come from. In an unguarded moment, Doctor Jacques confessed that his family came from Brittany (Breten Vyghan) – and that his Grandmother still spoke perfect Breton! After further coaxing, Dr Jacques also confessed that he, too, spoke some Breton. (Breton, as you may be aware, is the nearest thing to Cornish – and was mutually intelligible with it until, maybe, the year 1500.) So, whammo! Stephen pounced on his unsuspecting prey – and the language group had thereby acquired an eminent overseas speaker to address it. More than that, our guest speaker was even prepared to sing a number of Breton songs to us and then go through the texts of those songs with us. Dr Jacques’ knowledge of Cornish, as such, is limited and so the group all shared the joy of discovering where the two languages remained the same and where they had diverged. Indeed, once you could allow for the two different spelling systems, the similarities became even more obvious. Stephen Amos had spent some time studying Breton by correspondence and so his knowledge of both languages was invaluable in this discussion. Not to be outdone, Peter Trevorah tried to ‘compensate’ for his manifestly inferior knowledge by insisting on addressing Dr Jacques with his rusty ‘schoolboy’ French. (Dr Jacques was very polite about what he heard from our resident show-off!) It was a bit hard to match this linguistic ‘banquet’ at our next meeting. However, just for something different, Stephen Morey brought along a recording of a legend related by the last known speaker of Mathi-Mathi (an Aboriginal language of New South Wales) and treated us to a translation of the legend (and a dissertation on that language) in Cornish. Now try and tell us that’s not a rare treat! After that, we decided that a couple of movies, in Cornish, were in order. Our thanks go to June Whiffin for arranging the acquisition of a DVD of several movies from the Cornish Film Festival. Peter seemed particularly taken with “Konin ha Pryv” (a kiddies’ show about a worm and a rabbit) and sang along happily to the simple tunes – but we all enjoyed ‘The Devil in Our Kitchen’ (An Jyowl yn agas Kegin) which was a bit more adult in its content. (We’ll never be able to look at Gordon Ramsey in quite the same way again.) It appears from that movie Satan chooses to speak exclusively in Cornish! So, what does that say about agan bagas (our group) of Kernewegoryon? Keep up the good work Oll an gwella

Peter Trevorah

Peter Trevorah Language Class Bendigo

Photo courtesy Arthur & Robyn Coates

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 10 of 16 NEWS FROM C.A.V. BRANCHES AND GROUPS

GEELONG BRANCH:

Our Branch held its AGM at our May meeting. The Geelong Branch: Office Bearers elected were, Chairman, Neil Thomas, Secretary, Shirley Lindsay, Treasurer, Bill President: Neil Thomas Martin. We were entertained by the Victorian Ph: 03 5278 3250 President, Derek Trewarne, who presented a slide Email: [email protected] show and spoke about the history of the Methodist Secretary: Shirley Lindsay Church in Bendigo. Email: [email protected] Once again we participated in the National Celtic Festival at Portarlington. This was held over the Queens Birthday long weekend in June. Our members mounted a colourful display of Cornish memorabilia and provided a family search facility. This proved very popular with people inquiring about their Cornish roots. Judith Crocker and Tom Govern joined us and put on a Padstow ‘Obby ‘Oss display. Our meetings are held at the Uniting Church, Ormond Road, East Geelong on the evening of the third Wednesday of the odd months. Neil Thomas

BALLARAT BRANCH Ballarat Branch: President: John Mildren Ballarat is planning a coach trip to Maldon on Saturday 30 Secretary: Lenice Stuchbery October. Time of departure will probably be 10.00 am returning Ph: 03 5332 2580 about 5 pm. Details of cost to be advised. We will visit the Maldon Email: [email protected] Museum, see buildings occupied by Cornish families and the Beehive Reef reputedly discovered by Cornishmen. At our A.G.M. we enjoyed listening to Ian Glanville, author of ‘The Cousin Jack’ books. We are looking forward to learning about the Cornish language from Peter Trevorah at our next meeting on 7 August 2010. On 2 October 2010 Robyn Nicholls will speak about her Bryant family, and their family home ‘Trelawney’ in Havelock Street, Ballarat North. Lenice Stuchbery

BORDERERS’ GROUP: Borderers’ Group Meetings: 3rd Thursday 2pm Uniting Church Hall, Casterton. Convenor: Betty Johns Six members are still meeting regularly aiming to keep up with Ph: 03 5581 1334 events in Cornwall. PO.Box 155, Next meeting 19th August. Casterton 3311

CORNISH BORN GROUP: Cornish - Born Group: It was lovely to see the program about Cornwall on SBS last night. Convenor: Penny McGuire-White It was great to see so many aspects of the County that are not Ph: 03 9584 1174 usually high lighted, and I was especially pleased that the reporter Email: [email protected] commented on the fact that Cornwall is almost an island. The Scillonians among us must be thrilled to have seen two programs in six days about the islands. If there are any Cornish born members that have not made themselves known to us, please feel free to contact me by email or telephone. Penny McGuire-White

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 11 of 16 EVENTS COMING UP

Royal Over-Seas League As part of the Centenary Celebrations for the Royal Over-Seas League a thanksgiving Service will be held at St James’ Old Cathedral, Batman & King Streets, West Melbourne, on Sunday 15th August at 10.00 am followed by a morning tea. Please advise the ROSL Office 9654 8338 of your attendance for catering purposes before 9/8/10.

Please note through our CAV membership with the British and Commonwealth Societies we are also members of the Royal Over-Seas League

The Council of British & Commonwealth Societies in conjunction with the Australian- Britain Society (Victoria) Inc.

Have pleasure in inviting members and guests to meet Her Excellency MS Quentin Bryce AC Governor-General of Australia at a reception on Monday 6th September 2010 Hotel Como, 630 Chapel St, South Yarra Cheques payable to Council of British & 6.30-8.30 p.m. $55.00 Commonwealth Societies R.S.V.P.—30th August, 2010 Miss Julie Sattler OAM, Hon. Sec. PO Box 8840, Armadale, 3143 Phone: 03 9500 1947

South East Victoria Family & Regional History Expo Beaconsfield Community Complex Saturday 28th August 2010 O’Neil Rd. Beaconsfield

10am - 4pm Email: [email protected] Wendy—0411539182

CAV successful in Local History Grant Program The CAV was successful in the 2009-10 round of Victorian Government Local History Grants Program funding announced recently by the Victorian Arts Minister Peter Batchelor. We were one of 81 community groups who received assistance for projects to ‘preserve and share Victoria’s history’. A total of $353,871 was awarded. Then President Derek Trewarne and Secretary June Whiffin attended the presentation ceremony, Derek receiving the certificate on behalf of the CAV.

We were awarded $2,250 dollars for a project - “to research, develop and make available online, a collection of information resources relating to the conditions experienced and routes taken between the copper mining areas of South Australia and the Victorian goldfields in 1851 and 1852.” The information is to be made available via a website.

In making the recommendation for funding the assessment panel commented that: A worthwhile project to tell the stories of an important part of Victoria's immigration history. The applicant has demonstrated strong engagement with the broader community, particularly through their decision to publish on line and reach a wider audience.

The website to present the results is being prepared and material will be circulated during August. Contact: Project Coordinator Moira Drew [email protected]

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 12 of 16 THE CORNISH ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC. KERNEWEK LOWENDER BIENNIAL SEMINAR to be held at Wallaroo Town Hall, Wallaroo, South Australia on Thursday 12 May 2011

CALL FOR PAPERS ‘The Ingenious Cornish: Inventions, Enterprises & Exploits’

The committee’s intention is to focus on Australian contexts and events in the papers selected for presentation. To set the scene, however, there will be an invited keynote address on ingenuity displayed by Cornish people in Cornwall itself, and possibly one or two shorter papers also based in Cornwall.

‘Ingenuity’ is interpreted as ideas and/or skills applied in innovative, clever and possibly unusual ways. Papers can focus on any of a wide range of areas, from engineering inventions, innovative farming or mining methods, metallurgy, plant breeding, developments in medicine, significant business enterprises, building design/construction, frontier exploration, transport, general resourcefulness and so on.

Abstracts should be submitted no later than Monday 11 October 2010 with notification of acceptance by the Association’s Seminar Sub-committee, posted or emailed by 22 November 2010.

Authors may opt for a short presentation (10-15 minutes) or the more usual longer time of 25 minutes. Final date for acceptance of completed papers is 7 March 2011

For further details and Registration of Interest forms Contact: June Whiffin Ph: (03) 9877 2968 email: [email protected]

KERNEWEK LOWENDER 9-15 MAY 2011 Proposed program Sunday May 8th: Spiritual Retreat: ‘Praying with the Cornish Saints.’ Leaders: Revs. Robin Pryor, Ted Curnow (Victoria, CAV) and Andy Phillips (Cornwall) Starting 4pm Sunday 8th until Tuesday 10th afternoon. (Allowing those who attend to enjoy the sacred Concert at Kadina) (Tickets for concert through Kernewek Lowender Office) To be held at the Uniting Church Campsite, Halbury (Balaklava) one hour from Kadina. Cost $50. Registration in advance is required. Closing date to be advised.

Saturday May 14th: Celtic Workshop: ‘Celtic Cornish Prayer and Spirituality’ Leaders: Revs. Robin Pryor, Ted Curnow (CAV) and Andy Phillips (Cornwall) Date and Time: Saturday 14th May 2-4.30pm Admission $10 at door. Venue to be confirmed. Contact: [email protected]

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 13 of 16 NEW MEMBERS’ CORNISH/AUSTRALIAN FAMILY HISTORY INTERESTS

∗ (Due to the ‘Privacy Laws’ we are unable to print members’ full addresses but if members wish to contact new members listed below please contact CAV Secretary for the full address – see page 2) ∗ Key: CON = Cornwall, VIC = Victoria, NSW = New South Wales, TAS = Tasmania, QLD = Queensland, SA = South Australia, AUS = Australia

NEW MEMBERS 1359 Mrs Marjorie Barrett JACKA St Buryan CON Caulfield South Vic 3162 HOLLOW St Buryan CON BOTTRELL Ballarat VIC, post 1854

1360 Mrs Rosemary Riley ROWE Camborne CON, 1800’s West Footscray Vic 3012

1361 Dr Tracey Taylor REYNOLDS Port Adelaide SA Cheltenham Vic 3192

1362 Mrs Jennifer Riddle HARRIS Gwennap/Camborne CON, pre 1850’s Ivanhoe Vic 3079 HARRIS Ballarat/ Bendigo/ Numurkah VIC CORRIN Madron/Penzance/Gulval CON CORRIN Bendigo VIC

1363 Mrs Betty Blackwood WILLIAMS Redruth Con 1800’s Bendigo Vic 3550 WILLIAMS Chewton/Castlemaine VIC, post c1876 SMETHAM Redruth Con 1800’s SMETHAM Chewton/Castlemaine VIC, post c1876

1364 Mr Don Matthews MARTIN Helston CON Cromer Vic 3193 MARTIN SA MATTHEWS CON MATTHEWS SA, VIC

1365 Mr & Mrs Bill & Kathryn Cowling COWLING St Stephen in Brannel CON c1835 Ringwood Vic 3134

INTEREST UPDATE 1313 Rev Edwin Curnow MOYLE Germoe CON, pre 1848 DAVIES Adelaide SA, pre 1903 UREN Gwinear CON, pre 1900 GILBERT CON, c1850’s COATS Copperhouse CON, c1850’s WAIT Peachy Belt SA, Post 1850

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION Subscriptions are now due. A renewal form is enclosed with this newsletter If you receive your newsletter by email, your renewal form will be sent to you in a separate email.

Would you like to receive your newsletter by email? Please contact Petra Cox email: [email protected].

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 14 of 16    

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 15 of 16 SPIRIT OF MYSTERY RETURNS TO CORNWALL An article in Cornwall’s Western Morning News, 8 June 2010 carried the header:

‘The little boat with a big story is back home at last’

For those of us who enjoyed the welcome that Pete Goss, Andy Goss, Eliot Goss and Mark Maidment received at Williamstown at the end of their incredible re-enactment voyage in March 2009, this news closed another chapter in the story of the voyage of the fishing lugger ‘Mystery’ and her seven man crew in 1854-55. After a short stay in Victoria, Pete, Eliot and Mark returned home leaving Andy to enjoy some more relaxed sailings with the ‘Spirit of Mystery’ with no decision taken on how to get their boat home. Late in April 2009, following visits to Sorrento and Queenscliff, ‘Spirit of Mystery’ left Port Phillip Bay for King Island en-route Tasmania. In March 2010, when the storm off Portland dumped the ‘Spirit of Mystery’ prior to the completion of the re-enactment voyage, their small dingy was lost. To everyone’s surprise it was much later found washed up on the shores of King Island after drifting almost 1000 kms. It was fully restored and duly returned to Andy with its newly adopted name ‘Tacker’. Visits to Launceston and Hobart attracted further interest and Andy was as usual able to find keen additional crew for the eventual voyage up the south east coast to reach Sydney in time for display at the Sydney Boat Show in late July. Pete Goss flew out to be at the Sydney Boat Show and achieved his ambition to sail past Sydney’s Opera House and under the Harbour Bridge before again leaving Andy to arrange for the return of the boat to Cornwall, reluctantly realizing that he could not spare the time to sail the lugger home. Thus after an extended stay in Sydney the last sail in Australian waters took place in February 2010 when Andy headed the ‘Spirit of Mystery’ south to Port Kembla and arranged for the its transport on a specialized container ship bound for Holland. Loading took place on 19th March 2010 just over 12 months after the historic arrival at th Williamstown on 9 March 2009. After being cross-decked to another vessel in the Caribbean ‘Spirit of Mystery’ returned to the water at Flushing, Holland, early in May ready to sail to Plymouth under the command of Pete Goss.

Pete now plans to have the boat on display at this year’s Newlyn Fish Festival in August. The Commemorative Plaque that was first unveiled by Pete in March 2009 and now attached to the front fencing at the Royal Yacht Club Victoria, Williamstown serves as an enduring reminder of the exploits of the seven Newlyn fishermen who undertook that incredible migrant voyage in 1854-55.

For further reading: CAV Newsletters February, May and November 2009.

Compiled by Lindsay Chapman

Photos courtesy Pete Goss

CAV News No 95, May 2010 Page 16 of 16