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The Coo-ee March, 1915 See page 3 for more more information

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ALSTONVILLE PLATEAU HISTORICAL SOCIETY Inc. June 2016 • Volume 16, No. 2 JUNE 2016 Featuring: Th e Coo-ee March, 1915 1 & 3 Plateau Milestones: 1944–1959 4 Alstonville —1901 to 1931 5 Research Nook: Chance Meeting Aft er 78 Years 6 Alstonville Plateau Historical Society Inc. Established 21 October 2001 • ABN 14 079 187 469 Major Th omas Mitchell Affi liated with the Royal Australian Historical Society —Th e Man Who Surveyed NSW 7 CRAWFORD HOUSE MUSEUM & COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE: From the Library Shelves: 1936 Pocket Diary 8 10 Wardell Road, Alstonville—02 6628 1829 (Fri & Sun) Email: [email protected] APHS News 9 Website: www.aphsmuseum.org.au APHS Monthly Meetings 9 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crawford- House-Museum/237678339768274 Museum: Open Fridays 10.00–4.00 pm and Sundays 1.00–4.00 pm APHS Publicationss Research Centre: Open Fridays 10.00–4.00 pm APHS books are available from thee PATRONS: K Hogan MP, T George MP, Cr D Wright, Mr P Silver monthly meetings, Crawford House Museum (Fridays 10–4 pm & SOCIETY’S AIMS: Sundays 1–4 pm), To collect, preserve, display and provide documents and selected outlets including photos of a historical nature of the Alstonville Plateau and Alstonville Newsagency Ballina Shire for current and future generations. or by mail order. We welcome stories, photos and family histories for our records and newsletter publication. Enquiries: 02 6628 1829 Tibouchina Town: Alstonvillee 11865–2015865 2015 HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETINGS: 3rd Sunday of each month at 2.00 pm Recognising Ballina District Citizens (Book 1) Alstonville Community Resource Centre They Served Us Well Crawford House, 10 Wardell Road, Alstonville Go North Young Man • Still Greater Eff ort (Guest speaker and general meeting) An Udder Story–Dairying on the Plateau CORRESPONDENCE & ENQUIRIES: Recognising Alstonville District Citizens (Books 1 & 2) The Hon. Secretary, Alstonville Plateau Historical Society Inc., Flying the Flag–Alstonville During World War II PO Box 65, Alstonville NSW 2477 Phone: 02 6628 1829 (Fri) • Email: [email protected] Ballina: Early Days • Postcards from Alstonville SUBSCRIPTIONS: Blanchie–Australia’s Inspirational WWII Nurse Due 1 October each year From Bush Track to Bypass (Includes public risk insurance and quarterly newsletters) Alstonville High School–A Community School Fees: Single $20; Family $40; Student $5 Wollongbar: Historic Village (Please add $5.00 if newsletters are to be posted) From Buckets to Brigade—Alstonville Fire Brigade Corporate Membership: $100.00 p.a. Eff ort Earns Success–Alstonville Public School (Incl. newsletter advertisement and full membership Rous Mill: Historic Village President: Ina le Bas–[email protected] Forgotten Railways of the Northern Rivers Vice President: Ian Kirkland–[email protected] Milestones and Memories: Alstonville District Hon. Secretary (Minutes): Kevin Olivieri–[email protected] Alstonville’s Heritage Trail • Out of Puff Hon. Secretary (Correspondence): Duck Creek Mountain now Alstonville (2nd Ed.) Margaret Ryan–[email protected] Public Offi cer: Offi cial newsletter of the Alstonville Plateau Brian Worthington–[email protected] Historical Society Inc. This work is copyright and Hon. Treasurer: Donna Gaertner–[email protected] apart from any use under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without Assistant Treasurer: Susanne Gilshenan–[email protected] written permission from the society. Every eff ort has Volunteers Co-ordinator: Jane Gardiner–[email protected] been made to ensure the information published is Research Offi cer: Alison Draper–[email protected] free from error and that text and photographs are attributed to their original sources, where known. Publicity Offi cer: Cathy Cohen–[email protected] PUBLISHED MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER & DECEMBER Committee: Veronica Larkins & Garry Ensbey Crawford House & CRC Booking Enquiries: The Pioneer Editor: Ina le Bas • 02 6628 5457 John Sim–[email protected] Please send all contributions to: The Editor, APHS Pioneer Webmistress: Liz Marshall–[email protected] 12 Eskimo Court, Wollongbar 2477 • Email: [email protected] Past-Presidents: Proofreading: Margaret Ryan Marguerite Fuller, Jane Gardiner, Ian Kirkland, John Sim Design/Production: Jeannette Gilligan, Dragonwick—[email protected]

2 • APHS PIONEER • June 2016 www.aphsmuseum.org.au The Coo-ee March n a recent visit to Canberra I was determined Oto add to my knowledge of Australian history. Aft er delivering John Sim’s and my interview with Tom Hale, the Bonalbo World War I Digger, to Tim Sullivan at the Australian War Memorial I decided to come home via Canowindra, Cowra, Dubbo, Gilgandra and Tamworth. Th ere were three main reasons for this. Firstly I wanted to visit the Cowra Breakout site North Coasters Recruiting March, Port Macquarie, 1916 and War Cemetery. At the Cowra Tourist Information Centre is an excellent presentation where a miniature An excellent book called Th e Coo-ee March by John woman lights up and tells the story of the breakout. Meredith was fi rst published in 1981. Secondly I wanted to learn more about the Coo- What I didn’t know was that there were many ee march during World War I, which started at other marches throughout eastern Australia. Th ese Gilgrandra. included: Th e third reason was that I had discovered there Waratahs was a Bradman Museum in Tamworth which had Dec 1915 Nowra to Sydney 120 recruits more Bradman memorabilia than the Bradman Kangaroos Museum in Bowral. Dec 1915 Wagga to Sydney 230 recruits On talking to people about my trip aft er I came Wallabies home I was amazed to fi nd that there are many people Dec 1915 Narrabri to Newcastle 173 recruits who do not know much about the Coo-ee march. Two Dungarees brothers, RG Hitchen (a butcher) and Bill Hitchen (a Dec 1915 Warwick to Brisbane 125 recruits plumber) were talking one day in 1915 outside the Men from Snowy River Jan 1916 Delegate to Goulburn 144 recruits butchers shop in Gilgandra. Th e idea of marching Kurrajongs from Gilgandra to Sydney, recruiting along the way, Jan 1916 Inverell to Narrabri 150 recruits came about from their discussion. Kookaburras At this time, aft er the disaster of Gallipoli, Jan 1916 Tooraweenah to Bathurst 100 recruits recruiting had become diffi cult. On 10 October 1915 North Coast Boomerangs twenty-six men began the long walk to Sydney. Th e Jan 1916 Graft on to Maitland 240 recruits march had been initially met with strong resistance Th e latter march travelled mainly by train and from the authorities but eventually assistance was was the most successful recruitment march. I am provided to help the march become successful. Along glad I have increased my knowledge of an important the way the marchers were greeted by large crowds, World War I event. welcoming speeches were given in the villages and IAN KIRKLAND towns, dances were held and the men were given presents and food. By the time they had reached Sydney 515 km away on 12 November 1915 their number had increased to 263. At the Gilgandra Tourist Information Centre a room is devoted to the march. As well as much information and excellent photos there are items such as fl ags and musical instruments carried on the trip. Th ere is also excellent coverage of the re-enactment march held in 2015. It is interesting that Lismore had a connection with the march as Lismore teacher CC Grassick, principal of the local school, wrote a poem Coo- ees and sent it on a postcard to each of the Coo-ees. The Coo-ee March passing through Katoomba, 1915 www.aphsmuseum.org.au June 2016 • APHS PIONEER • 3 Plateau Milestones 1944–1959

1944 • Elizabeth Ann Brown Park established • Alstonville Public School became a Central • Alstonville New State Committee formed School • National Fitness Committee formed 1945 • Alstonville Bowling Club celebrated its silver • Alstonville Country Party branch formed jubilee • A Peace Ball was held to celebrate the end of 1950 WWII • Federal Hotel was sold to Haberfi eld Investments • Chamber of Commerce was reformed • RSL gained ownership of School of Arts hall • Tintenbar Shire Council took over the maintenance • Alstonville Methodist Mothers’ Club began of the croquet and bowling club greens • Inaugural meeting of Church of Men’s 1946 Society • Permanent picture shows began at Oberon 1951 Th eatre in Agricultural Hall • Land resumed for the Tropical Fruit Research 1947 Station on Perrys Hill • Licence for the Federal Hotel was transferred to • Alstonville Public School celebrated its 75th Alfred Riley Jnr anniversary • Norco butter factory at Maguires Creek closed 1952 • Norman Clough bought KK Martin’s store • Dr John McGill began his thirty-fi ve years’ of • ATB Gordon became the village’s fi rst postman practice in Alstonville • Alstonville Citizens’ Rights Committee formed • Marked pedestrian crossing placed near • Night tennis began in Alstonville Methodist Church 1948 1953 • Dedication of the fi rst Paddy Bugden Memorial • Celebrations held for Queen Elizabeth II’s • WWII Honour board erected at Methodist Church coronation • Alstonville Sports Association was formed, with 1954 Mr B Daley as president • Th e new Roman Catholic Church, Our Lady of 1949 the Rosary, was blessed by Bishop Farrelly • Sunday sport permitted on Alstonville Memorial • Marked pedestrian crossing placed from the post Park offi ce across Main Street 1955 • Junior Farmers’ banquet held for the fi rst time 1957 • A women’s bowling club was formed • Mr JS Easter, MLA turned on Alstonville Water Scheme to 121 households 1958 • Alstonville Tropical Fruit Research Station opened 1959 • Baptist Church in Main Street opened by Mr T Peff er • Road through the village named the Bruxner Dedication of the Paddy Bugden Memorial, 1948 Highway

4 • APHS PIONEER • June 2016 www.aphsmuseum.org.au Alstonville Cricket 1901 to 1931 n 1900 Alstonville found it diffi cult in securing Ia new ground and area while the Show Society was constructing a new fence around the parade ring. Eventually Tom People loaned his paddock near where the fi rst Federal Hotel was built in 1898. Th is new ground took two years to develop with a concrete wicket being laid. Th e fi rst match on the ground was between Alstonville and Rous Mill in Alstonville Cricket Team, 1911 1902. Rous Mill won the match by seven runs. Back Row (L to R): F Miller, H Robinson, C Eggins, H Cottee, Alstonville competed in the Cupitt-Corlis G Vidler; Middle Row (L to R): J Payne, S Brown, J Cupitt Interdistrict trophy which started in 1901. Teams (capt), Dr Forsyth; Front Row (L to R): G Weston, T Kirkland, G from the Richmond River area competed with the Anderson. winning players receiving a blazer each. During the comprised of teams from Tregeagle, McLeans Ridges, early 1900s Alstonville always enjoyed an annual visit Goonellabah, Alstonville, Ballina, Teven and Rous. to Graft on over the Easter break to participate against Competitive club cricket competitions were Clarence club teams and a Graft on representative suspended during World War I period, resuming in team. It is interesting to note that Charlie Eggins who 1918/19 season. In their fi rst game against Tregeagle, played for Alumny Creek Club in Graft on moved to Alstonville had a classy win with George Weston Alstonville and continued his cricket success with taking 9 for 7 runs including a hat-trick to the local side. dismiss Tregeagle for 21 runs. Arguably the fi rst century scored by an Alstonville Alstonville formed their own association in batsman in 1st grade was in 1905/06 season by H 1919/20 season to the displeasure of the Richmond Brimstead who scored 113 runs against Pearces River Cricket Association. Clubs participating were Creek. Alstonville, Rous, Tregeagle, Goonellabah and In 1908/09 season club cricket along the Richmond McLeans Ridges. Th is association lasted until the end River was divided into three sections: Lismore or of the 1927/28 season. Alstonville club decided to Town section, taking in all teams connected to the join Rous association for the 1928/29 season. During Lismore District Cricket Association; Alstonville– their short stay in this association before their move Wyrallah section which included Alstonville Cricket into the Lismore District competition in 1931/32, Association, Goonellabah, Gundurimba, Tregeagle Alstonville never won an A Grade competition and Wyrallah; Eltham–Byron Bay section which despite having an extremely strong talented side. included Clunes, Eltham, Dunoon, Nashua, Byron In the 1930/31 season Verne Eggins captured 114 Bay and Pearces Creek. wickets at 5.94 and scored 555 runs at 55.50, Mervyn Perseverance won the Lismore section, Nashua Eggins took 58 wickets at 9.58 and 371 runs and won the Eltham–Byron Bay section and Alstonville Harland Eggins took 30 wickets at 9.46 and 356 runs, won their section. yet Alstonville couldn’t still win a premiership. Th ese three successful teams competed in a GARRY ENSBEY play-off to determine the best 1st Grade side on the Richmond River. Alstonville had to play Nashua in If you’re interested in cricketing the fi nal played over three consecutive Saturdays. in Alstonville, make sure you preorder your copy of the new So great was the interest in the match that many APHS publication, 140 Years spectators arrived in sulkies, buggies or horseback. : History of Alstonville Cars hadn’t made their entry at that time. Charlie Cricket 1876-2016, by Garry Eggins (119) and Erwin Gray (60) secured the victory Ensbey, to be launched in for Alstonville. October. For further information, In 1910/11 season the Alstonville section of please contact Garry on email: the Richmond River District cricket competition [email protected] www.aphsmuseum.org.au June 2016 • APHS PIONEER • 5 Research Nook CHANCE MEETING AFTER 78 YEARS

I FIRST BECAME acquainted us at the table with the descendants with Ina (le Bas ) in 2015 when of Andrew Freeborn. Ann Murray, my mother Betty McAnelly (née who has sadly passed away since Virtue) and I heard events were the celebrations, and Betty, my being planned by the Alstonville mother, were seated together, and Plateau Historical Society to already well known to each other. celebrate 150 years of settlement Th ey were each presented with a of Alstonville; originally known as posy of roses during the offi cial (named) Duck Creek Mountain. proceedings of the evening, being My mother, aged ninety-one, the oldest descendants of Andrew of Isabella’s name recorded in has a good memory of, and interest and Ellen Freeborn. It was a the Australian Dress Register. in people, places and events, lovely and memorable occasion Isabella’s wedding dress, which having lived all her life in the local that Mum, Shirley and I enjoyed she made, is currently on display area. She was aware of our family’s immensely. at the Crawford House Museum connection to Ellen Freeborn Ina’s grandmother, Isabella wedding exhibition. My great- (née Sharpe), who was the wife of Cooke, was the wife of one of grandmother did dressmaking for Andrew Freeborn. We found Ina the fi rst settlers of Bexhill, Mr a living so we can only surmise also has a connection to Andrew SR Cooke. In an edition of the these two ladies may have been Freeborn through the Cooke Northern Star in August 1938 friends or well known to each family. Isabella Cooke and my great- other at least, having had an Th ree tickets, to include Shirley grandmother, Elizabeth Sharpe, occupation in common. Although McAnelly, my sister-in-law, who (eldest daughter of George and Isabella was residing at ‘Laurel Hill’ researches and records our family Sarah Windsor), are together in a Alstonville by 1938. In the course history, including the Sharpes, were photograph (at right) at the offi cial of conversation Ina and I found booked through Ina to attend the event held in the School of Arts that ‘Th e Pines’ once owned by sesquicentenary dinner. Ina placed of the Switching on of Electricity William Cooke, was located where to the village of Bexhill. Elizabeth my husband and I had bought Sharpe, aged sixty-three at the and built our home and lived and time and having lived in Bexhill raised our two children for twenty for fi ft y-nine years, was given the years in the 1980s and 90s. honour of pressing the switch. My Ina and I thought it would uncle, Grant Virtue, can recall the be fi tting to be photographed occasion. together (at left ) with the vase Ina’s uncle, Mr E Cooke, almost seventy-eight years aft er chairman for the event, presented our grandmother and great- my great-grandmother with an grandmother were photographed inscribed silver vase. Th e vase together on an occasion of was handed down to me by my signifi cance to the history of the grandmother, Marjorie Virtue. local area. Of interest is the documentation ELIZABETH EYEARS

Alstonville Plateau Historical Society provides a service to the public to research enquiries into the historyy ooff people, places and events relevant to both the Alstonville Plateau and Ballina Shire. The Research Centre is open Fridays 10.00 am to 4.00 pm or by arrangement, and it is recommended that prior to a visit you contact us either by email ([email protected]) or at the Research Centre so we can send you our research form and ensure we have a member to help you.

6 • APHS PIONEER • June 2016 www.aphsmuseum.org.au Major Thomas Mitchell—The Man Who Surveyed NSW homas Mitchell did more than any other to map This adopted country and entered Australian history during Governor Darling’s rule. He was born in Scotland in June 1792 and off ered the position of assistant to John Oxley in 1827. Mitchell was a skilled artist and spent much of the Peninsula War in Spain and Portugal surveying the routes that contributed to Wellington defeating the French at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. His Australian exploration is littered with the names of people and places from this period. Major Thomas Mitchell Governor Darling’s instructions were ‘... that by him. Major Mitchell’s representations generally are Major Mitchell is to be considered as standing next the result of disappointed and of a captious jealous in rank to Mr Oxley (Surveyor-General), whom he disposition. He is a good practical surveyor and an will succeed.’ With the promise of ₤500 a year, in excellent draughtsman; beyond this he possesses no addition to army half-pay, Mitchell and his family merit. He is a man of no arrangement and is totally arrived in Sydney in 1827. Nine of the next twenty- unequal to the management and proper conduct of a eight years were to be spent away from the colony department.’ —either on long expeditions or on leave of absence Early in his colonial career he had recorded his trips to England. conviction that a proper trigonometrical survey was Th e astounding feature of Mitchell’s colonial the only way to cope with the problem of surveying career is that he quarrelled with everyone— the colony and for the remainder of his term his particularly the four governors under whom he department surveyed on this basis. When all the ostensibly served but towards whom he displayed a conditions under which he travelled and made superiority tinged with disrespect. Darling, Bourke, his observations are considered, his accuracy was Gipps and Fitzroy all regarded him as a diffi cult man, remarkable. given to insubordination, and on occasion would He pushed himself and he demanded too much tend to ignore offi cial orders if he felt so inclined. of those who worked with and for him. He took None of the governors doubted that he was delight in the superior attitude that annoyed his intelligent and industrious, but the opinion of Darling governors and was proud to be thought diffi cult and refl ects very much what his successors thought of unapproachable. Mitchell: ‘His object seems to be his own fame, that Major Sir Th omas Mitchell—he was knighted in everything should originate with him or be improved 1839—undeniably intelligent and expert at survey work, was egotistical, jealous and obstinate. Too oft en his search for fame led him to take on too much, so that the fame continually eluded him. His jealousy towards Oxley and Cunningham was of a petty variety, yet he could conduct a life-long friendship with Hamilton Hume. He was another of those remarkable people who helped in the development of Australia in those early days. Painting of the Mitchell house in Stanwell Park, by Henry BRIAN WORTHINGTON Grant Lloyd, 1860 (Excerpt from Complete History of Australia 1974) www.aphsmuseum.org.au June 2016 • APHS PIONEER • 7 From the Library Shelves 1936 POCKET DIARY

LIKE LAST EDITION, this column father’s menswear stores in Brisbane. examination of some of the will also be focussed on an item of I would then reveal contents advertisements from the fi rst family history and I will attempt to of a rather surprising page headed 30 pages of the diary—this time show how it might be used to teach ‘Comparative Hat Sizes’ (pictured presented to pairs of students via students visiting our museum as below). a photocopy. Th e diary was clearly a school group. Th e ‘book’ is my It listed 14 graded sizes for hats a ‘freebie’ from James Hardie & father’s 1936 pocket diary kept— manufactured in America, Germany, Company Ltd, whose address was rather spasmodically, I might add— France and England/Australia. In ‘Asbestos House’ on the corner of by a nineteen-year-old who had just other words, 56 hat sizes crammed York and Barrack Streets, Sydney! recently moved (with his family) onto a small page. Th eir question could even be: how from Brisbane to Sydney. Why would this data be included many diff erent asbestos products can Why choose such an item, you in a young man’s diary? Clearly, so you fi nd? Th e brand name Fibrolite might be asking? Perhaps it was the young assistant would easily seemed to cover fl at or corrugated partly material brought back from be able to indicate that the sweaty sheets for roofi ng or ceilings, pipes, the recent Lismore Conference and battered Australian size 7 and ventilating fl ues, cattle troughs, addressed by the Catholic Education a quarter would become a 58 in the brake linings and clutch facings and Offi cer asking historical societies to latest French model. even school blackboards. All such consider what they may be able to Again, to eventually assist products contained some asbestos. off er in support of history teaching background answers to such a How times have changed! in schools. I also mentioned this question I would show some photos Th en, for a fi nal activity (and diary at a recent talk I gave to the of crowded cricket arenas for a one which would involve even older Richmond Tweed Family History Bradman-era test. Could there even students and some mathematical Society. But it was our own May be one of mens’ hats being tossed calculations), I would provide Guest Speaker’s cricket talk that in the air as a century had just been a screenshot of an entry at the really planted a seed! Th anks, Garry. scored? rear of the diary that is a log of I would obviously show my Now, teachers oft en inform us petrol consumption on a road trip student audience the small red that the class topic being studied is from Sydney back to Brisbane. leather-bound diary and ask what Changes-over-time or ‘Th en and ‘Gallons’ and ‘miles’ would need they thought it might contain. A Now’, so I’m certain that the student some explanation—and perhaps a clue could be provided with a photo audience could come up with several conversion table. (on our TV screen) of Bebarfalds ways in which cricket (and cricket An 8 am departure from Vaucluse Department store, opposite the crowds) have changed over the last with a full tank of petrol led to a fi rst Town Hall, as this was my father’s 85 years. A modern shot of a ‘Big stop at West Maitland for 4 gallons of fi rst employer in Sydney. Guesses Bash’ crowd should elicit any extra petrol costing 7 shillings and 4 pence could become more accurate were details they had overlooked. How with a further 4 gallons at Tamworth I to reveal that young Boyd had many can you come up with? costing 8 and 4 pence. Details of the previously worked in one of his Th e more challenging whole trip are recorded. conclusions (perhaps for the older Clearly, though, students could student groups) might involve draw some conclusions about the using these photos to talk about size of petrol tanks and even fuel wider social changes over that time. economy rates. If provided with Are modern ‘Bread and Circuses’ average weekly earnings for 1936 refl ective of shorter modern attention and 2016, some may be able to work spans? Has commercialism begun to out whether it is now cheaper to run dominate sport? Is this a good thing? the family car. Do women/girls constitute a bigger Enough, I hear you exclaim! My proportion of the contemporary only defence: once a teacher, always crowd? Why? a teacher. Use could be made of an JOHN SIM

www.aphsmuseum.org.au APHS News

President's Report Volunteer’s Certifi cate I was delighted to present Joyce APHS Monthly Meetings Houselander with our Volunteer’s Community Resource Centre 10 Wardell Road, Alstonville Certifi cate for the month of April 2.00 pm third Sunday of the month although she had been sewing 19 June 2016 profusely since the ‘Gowns, Veils, ‘Musings on the Presentation of History Vows & Ties’ display was just in ... a ramble round the world’ the planning stage. Joyce made Dr Bill Boyd the fl ower girl and page boy 17 July 2016 outfi ts for the Faux Wedding to Kay McIvor, Robbie and Margaret Orr, ‘Th e Albert Lyrebirds of the Uralba open the display on 20 March. Ina, Jane Cooke and Malcolm McIvor Nature Reserve’ Mike Fitzgerald, Alstonville Vet Surgeon Lois Hennes also asked Joyce Robert Cooke and to Ian Cooke’s to make a number of items to 21 August 2016 grandfather Dixon Cooke. Ian ‘Tom Skeyhill—WWI Poet and help display some of the gowns in and Jane Cooke and I spent three Entrepreneur’ a beautiful manner like the lovely pleasant days showing Kay where Gordon King white or cream gown hangers her great-grandmother lived which were either embroidered when she fi rst came to the north You’ll be SURPRISED or had lace appliquéd to the coast aged fourteen with her stunning padded hangers. at what you find at your parents, William and Mary Ann LOCAL POST OFFICEOOFFFICE Cooke. Th ey lived on the property WOLLONGBAR POST OFFICE now called ‘Pines on the Plateau’ The Palms Shopping Centre at Wollongbar and Margaret and 6628 3430 Robbie Orr were delightful hosts showing us perhaps where the original home ‘Th e Pines’ was before it was burnt down (see Pioneer, Vol. 12 No. 1). REAL ESTATE Quota Award 80 Main Street, Alstonville Your Local Real Estate Specialists I was taken by surprise at the 6628 0000 April meeting when John Sim Ina and Joyce Houselander introduced Julie Lee and Maree Cooke Research Pollock, who had come along One day while I was at Crawford to present me with a certifi cate DRAGONWICK House, a call came through from indicating that I had been SELF-PUBLISHINGS Kay McIvor of Brisbane asking if SOLUTIONS the society had any information 6624 1933 on William and Mary Ann [email protected] Cooke. Being the resident Cooke historian, I took the call and arranged for Kay and her husband Malcolm to WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICES visit Alstonville. Kay’s great- Ina, Ian Cooke and Kay McIvor at SEPTIC TANK PUMPING grandmother Sarah was a sister Crawford House, viewing the material to my grandfather, Samuel held on William and Mary Ann Cooke 6621 7431 • 6687 2559 www.aphsmuseum.org.au June 2016 • APHS PIONEER • 9 www.aphsmuseum.org.au

happy to present Eric with a small the Quota Craft and Garden Fair, token of our appreciation at the the Ballina Hospital Auxiliary at May meeting. the Lennox Head Craft Fair and Th anks to Volunteers the Alstonville Family Fun Day. With the extra groups coming Health Report through the museum to view the In the March Pioneer I recorded wedding display, let me thank a get well message to Jane and our willing volunteers who have Brian. Th ey are both now on the poured out over 100 cups of tea road to recovery but Brian has or coff ee and for being the guides indicated that he would like to be through the house. relieved of his positions within Over the past month the the society and it now needs three Maree Pollock, President elect, Laurel Group, the Uniting Church members to fi ll his shoes. Julie Lee, the present President of ladies, the Ancillary staff from the Susanne will attend to the sale the Alstonville/Wollongbar Quota High School and the Wollongbar of our publications, Gwen will International and Ina le Bas Probus have all visited and take on the membership role and awarded the Quota International expressed their appreciation of the Richmond will do the statistics. Alstonville/Wollongbar Memorial wonderful display. Th e Management Committee Community Woman of the Year St Carthage’s Senior groups wish to thank these three for 2016. have visited on three occasions. members for coming forward and ‘Ina is always friendly, Th eir Monday, Wednesday and Brian you can rest assured that outgoing and open minded in her Friday Groups have all enjoyed your valuable contribution to the attitude. She works tirelessly and their visits especially when Livia society is recorded and we wish without fuss, always supportive welcomed them in Italian and you all the best healthwise. of her local community and the explained the exhibition to them. Baptist Church Anniversary people who reside within.’ Th e CRC Rental It was a pleasure to attend award carried a cheque for $250 Th e society is pleased that the the celebrations of the 60th for a charity of my choice and a CRC is being rented by a number anniversary of the Baptist Church posy of roses. of community groups which is at the invitation of Pastor Allan Gate Repairs bringing in valuable dollars to Jones and to be shown the Th anks once again to Eric meet our commitments. Ballina historical memorabilia by Elaine Clark for repairing the gate into Shire Council C Ward meetings McCormack, and to be greeted by Elizabeth Ann Brown Park. I was are held quarterly. Merlene Hellyar, Gwen Christie Revamped Offi ce and June Williams. y APHS Display Diary Do look into the offi ce and Chamber of Commerce Regular displays are held at admire the new cupboards that Susanne and I have been Crawford House Museum have been built above the original attending the Alstonville/ 10 Wardell Road, Alstonville ones. As our records are growing Wollongbar Chamber of 1–3 July 2016 so rapidly extra cupboard space Th e Airing of the Quilts Commerce meetings which was needed to house the many alternate between Breakfast 11 September–9 October 2016 Stories of Alstonville Businesses documents and fi les the society is Meetings at 7.30 am or evening (Personal stories with photographs) creating for future researchers. meetings at 5.30 pm. 4 November 2016–19 March 2017 Book Sales It is proposed the APHS will Children’s Toys and Games (incorporates social aspects— Th anks to the many helpers who host the evening meeting on the childcare & preschool) have manned the stalls selling our 6 September, which will include Any enquiries, call 02 6628 1829 much sought aft er publications at a viewing of our ‘Stories of Friday & Sunday the Antique and Collectables Fair, Alstonville Businesses’ display.

10 • APHS PIONEER • June 2016 www.aphsmuseum.org.au APHS News

Research Religious Tensions in NSW before 1930 APHS has acquired a research paper, available to members, titled ‘Sectarian Confl ict in the Richmond River Region of New South Wales 1870–1930’. Undertaken by APHS member John Brown and reviewed by the University of New England, the paper examines religious tensions in the region at that time. John would welcome comments and any anecdotal data in the form of letters, memoirs and oral accounts of sectarianism of that time. John is a great-grandson of William and Mary Ann Cooke, who settled in the region in 1883 Visitors to the ‘behind the scenes’ event at Crawford House aft er having lived in the Illawarra. a special dinner by well-known Th e exhibition, which He can be contacted directly by Alstonville cricketer, Brendan closed in early June, featured phone 02 99992387 or email: Drew, on Saturday 1 October some of the fi nest wedding [email protected] 2016 at the Alstonville Plateau costumes seen in regional NSW. Ina le Bas Bowls & Sports Club at 6 pm. It featured forty-nine wedding Cricket Book Launch For more information about dresses ranging in date from 1883 to 2014 in a variety of Th e new book from APHS, the launch, or if you wish to styles, fabrics and colours. Also 140 Years Not Out— History of preorder your copy, please displayed were bridesmaid and Alstonville Cricket 1876–2016, by contact Garry Ensbey on email: fl ower girl dresses, and over one Garry Ensbey, will be launched at [email protected] hundred photographs of local Curator of Wedding brides and grooms—along with Displays other wedding ephemera spread To enhance its bridal exhibition throughout the exhibition. Crawford House Museum hosted a special ‘behind the scenes’ event to reveal how customs, the period, availability of new materials and even the determination of the bride have infl uenced the design and making of wedding dresses. Exhibition Curator, fashion guru Lois Hennes, guided visitors through the gowns (pictured), and this was followed by light refreshments. www.aphsmuseum.org.au June 2016 • APHS PIONEER • 11 Pioneer Profile

SAMUEL CHRISTY TRIMBLE MBE

lammin’ was born unoffi cial test in New Zealand he Son 16 August 1934 in Lismore. made 213. In 1971 he scored 177 As a teenager he played cricket in the against an English attack including Clunes Association as a batsman and and . he also bowled leg spin. However, He held the record for the most it wasn’t very long before Sam and runs for Queensland until he was his brother Ken became prolifi c surpassed by in the late runscorers, both at club level and at 1990s. He still remains as the third inter-district level. highest rungetter for Queensland Sam played cricket for and features in the Century Room Queensland from 1959 to 1976. His at Field with ten other fi rst class career was 144 matches, 262 Queensland players who played innings, 10,282 runs, with a highest 100 or more fi rst class matches score of 252 not out and an average of for Queensland. He captained 41.79. He scored 26 centuries. Queensland on 39 occasions and was Sam never played for named in the Queensland Cricket Australia although he was twelft h Team of Th e Century. He was awarded Sam Trimble (front) with Bill man against the West Indies in 1964– a Member of the British Empire in Pearson, former Clunes Association 5. During this time 1975 for his services to cricket. Aft er representatives, on 1 September 1990 in Lismore when a Wanderers team and had a stranglehold his retirement he ran the indoor nets played on the Australian openers’ positions. at the Gabba for many years. In 1970 he captained a Second XI In March 1984 a Golden played along with other past greats to New Zealand comprising Greg Oldies Cricket movement began and Ron Archer from Chappell and Dennis Lillee. In an in Auckland, New Zealand. Sam Australia, John Edrich and from England and Bert Sutcliff e from New Zealand. He has never forgotten his roots. In 1990 he played in a Wanderers cricket team in Lismore. In 1992 Sam captained a team of past Clunes cricketers against a Lloyd Strong led XI at the Booyong centenary celebrations. On 1 October 2001 he was also at Booyong when a book on the Clunes Cricket Association was launched. Th e oval at Bexhill is called Sam Trimble Oval. In 2012 he was named in an Australian cricket’s unlucky XI. His son, Glenn, also played 57 fi rst class matches for Queensland scoring 2881 runs at an average of 33.11 and took 30 wickets at an average of 29.33. He also played two one-day games for Australia. Glenn retired in 1990. Sam Trimble’s team which played Lloyd Strong’s team at Booyong centenary celebrations in 1992, (Back row) Ian Kirkland, Bruce Parker, Lindsay Trimble, Lyle IAN KIRKLAND Beddoes, Garnet Johnston, George Priddle, Glen Fields, Dennis Clarke, Bill Pearson; Recognising Alstonville District (Front row) Jim Parker, Brian Moore, Geoff Trimble, Sam Trimble, Ken Trimble. Citizens, APHS

12 • APHS PIONEER • March 2016 www.aphsmuseum.org.au