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Bathurst District Historical Society Inc.

NEWSLETTER No 95 July – September 2013 Price $3.00 Free to Members of the Society

FROM THE PRESIDENT Blaxland’s talk at the Society’s Museum.

The Bathurst District Historical Society continues to The various activities being held in conjunction with have a great deal happening at present and in many Ben Hall are in full swing with ever increasing areas. Our first International Museum Day was a interest in the event. It is quite amazing the number great success and there are improvements and of people who are receiving the Ben Hall Raid additions to be added into next year’s event. Weekend Festival e-newsletter to date. See further Samantha Friend did a great job in organising the information in this member’s newsletter. special day which saw several new members join the The Society has organised a ‘Historic Colonial Society. Houses’ bus trip to three homes at . It is Since our last member’s newsletter actual taking place on Sunday 25th August and includes - construction work has commenced on the new , and Experiment garden at Old Government Cottage. The Society’s Farm Cottage. See further details in this newsletter training program for the new Mosaic software will but book early now as there are only 53 seats. take place in July to allow the Society to list all its I attended the autumn colours presentation evening collection with one or more photos of each item, which concluded the most successful range of details of the item’s history, who made the donation, functions over the three month period. Many of the when, its item number, where the item is i.e. if the activities and functions were booked out, many with item’s location has changed for display, storage or waiting lists. Tours were extremely popular and conservation – all this will make items easy to find planning for next year has already commenced. Well and life much easier. If someone asks do we have a done to all those concerned and especially Felicity ‘whatever’ we can look it up. Baines and her staff at the Bathurst Tourist Office. If you are genuinely interested in doing the I was very happy to learn that the Society has had an course PLEASE contact Samantha or myself, authentic gold cradle donated. The cradle was urgently. constructed in 1882 on the Turon River by Kay The Theo Barker Memorial Lecture is on again this Gibbs’s great, great grandfather. Mrs. Shirley year with a change in the format – this year it will Harmer has donated it to the BDHS. Be sure you involve the showing of parts of old and rare black have a look next time you visit the museum. and white silent movies associated with Bathurst. Please take advantage of the Society’s musters, The Lecture is taking place on Friday 16th August at activities and trips as they are for the benefit of 6pm at the Bathurst campus of Charles Sturt members. Alan McRae - President University in the same room as last time - in

Building S15 in Lecture Theatre 2.23. The route in will be marked to the venue from Panorama Avenue NOTICE by coloured balloons as usual. Bathurst District Historical Society

Andrew Pike, OAM, will be delivering the lecture Annual General Meeting on Australian film history. Remember you need to RSVP for catering purposes by 14th August to will be held in the Museum

Ms Kate Esdaile, phone 63384645 or email at 7.30pm on Thursday 22nd August, 2013 [email protected]

David Blaxland will talk about the life and times of LOST & FOUND his great grandfather’s grandfather, Gregory Over the last couple of months there have been some Blaxland, the Blue Mountains explorer, on Thursday found items. A hat was left at Sidmouth Valley on 19th September to mark Museum Week. It is being the Cox’s Road bus trip and a coat was left behind at held at 7.30pm in the Senior Citizen’s Centre at 176 a muster. Enquire at the front desk. Russell Street. The cost is just $5 with supper served oooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo and please remember to book and pay for David 2 oooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo Ben Hall Raid Weekend Festival e-newsletters are NOTE – NEW MUSEUM PHONE NUMBER being emailed to interested persons around and New Zealand. If you have an email address or Due to problems with the current Museum phone someone you know who may be interested request a our new number is 63308455 - so please record it copy by emailing [email protected] in your phone index, purse or wallet. Note phone number in new phone book is wrong too! The startling defiance and confronting presence of Hall and his gang had profound consequences in both the short term and long term. 63308455

oooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo • The Government fell on 16th October, 1863, a mere 13 days after the BOOK NOW FOR THE raid, as a direct consequence of the storm of criticism by citizens and newspapers around Ben Hall Raid Dinner the country arising from the inability or at the Beau Brown Pavillion at the Bathurst unwillingness of the police to deal with the Showground bushranging menace. Saturday Evening 28th September - 6.15pm • The new Premier replacing Charles Cowper Booking are now open for the Ben Hall Raid Dinner was, ironically, Jimmy Martin, who, as a with guest speaker Peter Smith who will give the barrister, had defended the Gold Escort address entitled “Heroes to Villains.” Cost is $60 per Robbers the previous year. head, B.Y.O. and Colonial type costumes • It triggered further police reforms that had encouraged. Bookings at Bathurst District Historical been instigated by Cowper the previous Society, P.O. Box 237, Bathurst NSW 2795 or year. personally at the BDHS Museum, East Wing, • It prompted continuing land reforms. Bathurst Court House, Russell Street, Bathurst. Phone 63308455 - best times 11am – 2pm from As well as the raid, Ben Hall’s connection with Tuesday to Sunday or email Bathurst is a strong one. Hall and his partner John [email protected] Book and pay early. McGuire sold their cattle here and McGuire was later tried here in Bathurst as an alleged Gold Escort ooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo robber. Hall was married here in the Cathedral of St Michael on 29th February, 1856, with his wedding reception held at Crilly’s Hotel (corner of Piper and Bentinck Streets). Later Catholic Diocese priests facilitated the surrender of several of his gang members, including John Vane here in Bathurst. oooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo

MUSEUM DAY

Well, it’s finally over! Open Day for 2013 that is. It took a lot of organising by

Samantha and Alan, advertising (did you hear

Samantha on 2BS!), and two working bees, which involved removing the sad old Diosma from the Courtyard, (see left) and the planting of a lemon

tree, some daphne, and two new roses – R. Mary McKillop and R. Governor Macquarie. There was also a thorough spring clean of the Museum, BEN HALL WEEKEND RAID where a lot of cobwebs were FESTIVAL disurbed and a mountain of dust busted! This special weekend is being held from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th September with the main day on There were many attractions to entertain visitors on Saturday 28th hosting a re-enactment, festival and Saturday 11th May; they could listen to Sandy dinner to mark the 150th Anniversary of the brazen Bathgate talk about the carved trees and Evan’s epic raid by Ben Hall’s gang of on Bathurst. journey across the Blue Mountains, thrill to the tale

3 of heroine Caroline Keightley and her desperate dash to get dosh for the dastardly desperados holding her dear family in dire straights as told by Rob McLachlin, (see right with one of his enthusiastic audiences!) and have a peep into the Photo Archives with

Alan McRae who also gave a fascinating insight into the changes in various photographic processes over An evening event saw 20 people enjoy an engaging the years with some examples from his own talk about the origins of the Society and the Museum collection. from Christopher Morgan, together with a glass of local wine and some cheese. Pixie and Valda put on a splendid Devonshire Tea (scones made by Valda and served by Pixie – what a terrific team! And what delicious scones!) in the newly planted courtyard which was enjoyed by many! There were a number of tables set up and decorated. (There is a photo of Elaine appreciating a scone but she’s got cream on her nose so it’s not really for publication …)

The Open Day was Mayor, Cr Monica Morse opened the evening and designed to was very complimentary about the Society and its encourage more place in the wider community. She paid tribute to the Bathurstians, (some volunteers who run the Society and man the of whom did not Museum, and pointed out that there were great know there was a benefits to having a Historical Society and a Historical Museum Museum available for all. Cr Graham Hanger was in their town!) to also present and made some very pertinent and well visit, and received comments about history and heritage in approximately 50 Bathurst. locals made the trip up the sandstone steps of the historic building that houses the collection. The The Open Day Organisers and the Society’s Museum is open six days a week and averages Management Committee thank all involved with approx. 5 – 10 visitors a day, so 50 new people is a putting on the Open Day for their efforts and wonderful result for us! contributions and look forward to next year’s International Museum Day!

Some of those who should be thanked include:

• All the local business houses who put flyers up in their windows • Bathurst Advocate and Western Times • Bathurst Regional Council • Felicity Baines from the Bathurst Tourist Information Centre • Lucy at 2BS • The Management Committee of the BDHS • The Mayor and Councillors of the BRC

4 • TLC Garden Care [email protected] You can also email • Winooka Park Wines – who donated some [email protected] Applications should be lodged wine for the Evening Event at least 12 weeks prior to the proposed unveiling date to allow verification and manufacture of the And individuals plaque. Payment of currently $450.00 (includes • Alan McRae GST) must accompany the application. • Beverly Berkahn • Carol Churches For more detail ask for an application form or • Christopher Morgan contact the BDHS Wall Plaques Co-ordinator. oooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo

• Elaine Slattery • Elizabeth Willingham SOCIETY MONTHLY MUSTERS

• Ernst Holland Monthly Musters are held at the Museum with a • Graham Hanger for the wonderful plug on 7.30pm start. Musters are free and open to the his Saturday morning radio show public. There is a tradition of having supper • Ian Wilkinson afterwards and people are requested to bring a plate • John and Thelma Williams of goodies for supper. For information please contact • Ken Webb Alan McRae, Monthly Muster Master on 63315404 • Merryll Hope (h). • Pixie Lincoln 18th July (Thursday) - Muster - 7.30pm in the • Robin and Joanna McLachlan Museum – Alan McRae will show a presentation of • Sandy Bathgate “Hospitals, Doctors and Potions in Bathurst” – a • Valda Goodwin photographic insight into the history behind • And everyone else who made it such a Bathurst’s hospitals, doctors and nurses, medical success services and chemists. oooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo Friday 16th August - 6pm - HERITAGE WALL PLAQUES Theo Barker Memorial Lecture is being held on the Bathurst campus of the Charles Sturt University in Building S15 in Lecture Theatre 2.23. The route will be marked to the venue from Panorama Ave by balloons as usual.

Andrew Pike, OAM, will be delivering the lecture on Australian film history, with a Bathurst flavour. RSVP by 14th August to Ms Kate Esdaile, phone 63384645 or email [email protected]

Most members will be aware that the Bathurst City Council created a Heritage Wall located in the immediate vicinity of the Proclamation Cairn at the lower end of William Street, at the entrance to the Macquarie River Bicentennial Park in 1988.

Any family having connections with the Bathurst district may apply to have a plaque (example above) made and placed on the Heritage Wall. Wall plaques commemorate the pioneers and early settlers in the Bathurst district and also include more recent contributors to the development of the area. The Bathurst District Historical Society manages the wall plaque service.

Applications are available from the Bathurst District Historical Society Museum or by phoning (02) Andrew Pike is a film distributor, film historian, 63308455 – best time is between 11am and 2pm documentary film-maker and former exhibitor. Tuesday to Sunday or by emailing With Ross Cooper, he wrote Australian Film 1900- 5 1977, published by Oxford University Press. His father of a woman who had been seduced by films as director include the award-winning Oswald. It shows a number of quasi-documentary ANGELS OF WAR (1982) about Papua New scenes of rural life near Bathurst. Guinea during World War Two, THE CHIFLEYS 22nd August AGM (Thursday) – ANNUAL OF BUSBY STREET (2008) about Australia’s post- GENERAL MEETING - 7.30pm in the Museum. war Prime Minister, Ben Chifley, and EMILY IN JAPAN (2010), an arts documentary commissioned 25th August – Sunday Tour - Historic Colonial by ABC TV. He has personally produced several Houses at Parramatta Tour. Visit the early documentaries for other directors. He managed the colonial homes of Hambledon Cottage, Elizabeth Electric Shadows cinema in Canberra for 27 years, Farm and at Parramatta to from 1979 to 2006, and through his company, Ronin see and hear of their fascinating history from the Films, has distributed many Australian films formative years of the Colony of New South Wales. including STRICTLY BALLROOM and SHINE, Cost is $70 for members of the Society and $75 for and 500 documentaries. non-members and includes all entry, a scrumptious lunch, morning and afternoon tea. The bus will leave In 2007 Andrew was awarded an OAM and an McDonald’s rear carpark at 7am and home by honorary doctorate from the University of Canberra 7.15pm. BOOK & PAY EARLY before Monday for his services to the film industry and community. 19th August, 2013 – by ringing the Society on In 2003 he was appointed by the French government to the rank of Chevalier dans L’Ordre des Arts et 63308455 (best time Monday to Sunday between Lettres for Ronin’s promotion of French cinema in 11am to 2pm) or call personally at the Museum or email [email protected] Australia. He served on the Board of the National Film and Sound Archive from 2008 to 2012 and is a Hambledon Cottage - built in 1824 by John member of the ACT Government’s arts policy Macarthur as a second house on his Elizabeth Farm advisory council. Estate. It had many notable occupants in the early days, including General Sir Edward Macarthur, Various movies will be covered from the black and Archdeacon Thomas Hobbes Scott and Dr Matthew white silent days filmed around the Bathurst area Anderson. Penelope Lucas, the former governess to including some on bushrangers. In particular the John Macarthur's daughters, lived there for 9 years, 1921 melodramatic tale of romance, with elements naming the family “Cottage” after the township of of social comment, called “A Girl of the Bush” and Hambledon in Hampshire, England. Hambledon directed by Franklyn Barrett for his own film Cottage is built of rendered sandstock brick in company. It was 6,000 feet long (about 1½ hours.) Colonial Georgian style with Australian cedar joinery throughout. Some of the internal ceilings and walls are still of lath and plaster whilst one bedroom still has its original ironbark floor. A domed brick oven adjoins the open fireplace in the kitchen. The cottage is furnished in the style of the mid 1800s.

Elizabeth Farm – was commenced in 1793 and is now Australia's oldest European building. It was built as the home of John and and overlooks the upper reaches of . The small, solid three-roomed brick cottage was transformed by the late 1820s into a smart country house. The furnishings and objects (reproduction) belonging to the Macarthurs give an authentic glimpse of early l9th century life. Elizabeth Farm is situated in a glorious 1830s garden with some of the plants believed to be planted by the Macarthurs.

Released on 26th March, 1921, it tells of Lorna Experiment Farm Cottage stands on the Colony’s Denver (Vera James) who manages Kangaroo Flat first land grant, Governor Phillip’s reward to convict sheep station (Freemantle at Bathurst) and is farmer in 1789 for his successful pursued by two men, evil Oswald (Herbert Linden) farming experiment on this site. By 1791 Ruse had and handsome young surveyor, Tom Wilson (Jack successfully farmed the 30 acre site as an experiment Martin). Lorna gives shelter to a baby who has in self-sufficiency, proving that a new settler could survived an attack by aboriginals but Tom thinks the feed and shelter his family. Colonial Surgeon, John baby is hers. This upsets Lorna who breaks it off Harris, bought Ruse’s land in 1793 for £40 and built with him. Oswald is murdered and Tom is arrested. the existing Indian-style cottage in 1834. It is A Chinese cook reveals that the real killer was the furnished to reflect the times and taste of Dr Harris. 6 The cellar houses a permanent exhibition on the life Museum. of James Ruse and the story of the site in all phases of its occupation - Indigenous and colonial to the present day.

Thursday 26th September - “Chasing Ben Hall” Bus Tour visiting Grenfell, Forbes Museum, Ben Hall’s grave, Escort Rock, Eugowra Museum, Ben Hall’s cave and Canowindra Museum. Morning and afternoon tea supplied, bring your own lunch + something to share. Bus leaves McDonald’s rear carpark 7am. $50 per person. Bookings open at BDHS now so be very quick – 53 seats only.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday 27th to 29th Dr David Blaxland is a direct descendant of Gregory September – Ben Hall Raid Weekend Festival – Blaxland and the prime mover in the establishment our program is still being compiled though a draft of the Western Crossings . He is program can be viewed at the Museum. The acknowledged as a “Blaxland-ophile” having weekend will include Friday 27th – Bus tours extensively researched the Blaxland family. He has throughout the day. 5.30pm for 6pm - Official been a general pathologist since 1987 in Tasmania, Opening of the Room incorporating the and NSW having previously practised as a Wagga Edgar Penzig Collection by Megan Penzig in the Wagga GP. He is a farmer as well as a breeder of Bathurst District Historical Society Museum in Clydesdale horses. Russell Street at 5.30pm for 6pm - Mayoral Reception by invitation. Gold coin donation. Saturday 28th September - Museum and Bushranger Room open 9am. Various escorted bus, self-drive and walking tours commence. Bathurst Court House tours. Bushranging, Colonial, Police, Cobb & Co and horsedrawn vehicles and other historic displays and activities, N.S.W. Mounted Police, talks, book launches and sales, people in period costumes, food available, Official Opening of Festival by the Mayor of Bathurst and flag raising,

“Macquarie” historic homestead bus tours and lots, Gregory Blaxland, his wife Elizabeth and their three lots more. children left England on 1st September, 1805, above decks on the William Pitt, a transport carrying 121 6.15pm – Ben Hall Raid Dinner at Bathurst prisoners, all except one being female. After the Showground. Guest speaker Peter Smith will give longest passage from England of any female the address entitled “Heroes to Villains.” Cost $60 transport between 1801 and 1820 the William Pitt per head, B.Y.O. Colonial type costumes arrived at Cove on 11th April, 1806, encouraged. Booking details on page 1. bringing the news of the Battle of Trafalgar to the Sunday 29th September - From 9am Family colony. He lived at Brush Farm, his 185 hectare Reunions commence. Pioneers’ plaques unveiling, property in present day Eastwood. Ben Hall Raid escorted bus tours, “Macquarie” 2013 marks the 200th Anniversary so come along historic homestead bus tours, Bathurst District and hear the fascinating story of one of the major Historical Society Museum and Bushranger Room discoveries in the colony and the declaration of open, 10am Old Government Cottage, 16 Stanley Bathurst. Street opens – Devonshire Teas and Tour $12 served till 3pm, Abercrombie House Tour, Bathurst District Historical Society Museum closes 2pm.

19th September (Thursday) - Museum Week Muster - 7.30pm at the Senior Citizen’s Centre at 176 Russell Street, up the lane. Note some parking inside otherwise park in Russell Street. David Blaxland will talk about the life and times of his great grandfather’s grandfather, Gregory Blaxland, the Blue Mountains explorer. Cost is $5 with supper served. Bookings for the talk of David Blaxland are being taken at the Society’s oooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo 7 CLEAN-UP AT OLD GOVERNMENT COTTAGE arrived and Peter Varman has been mixing numerous loads of cement. The last time there was any A working bee was held reasonable amount of digging done was in the 1960s at old government – see photo at the bottom left of the previous page. cottage ready for the ooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo commencement of the bi-centenary garden AUTUMN COLOURS MYSTERY TOURS project being carried WERE POPULAR out in conjunction with the Bathurst Garden Club. Items have been put into storage for now. Old sandstock bricks have been donated and will be used in carrying out the edging.

Chris Stewart’s ‘History Mystery Tours’ were extremely popular and well attended and nearly all were booked out. As part of the Autumn Colours activities this event was held each month. People attending found the event was both fascinating and

Already there is remarkable progress and help is required so if you are a gardener or general helper please phone Peter Varman on 63324443 as he has a number of jobs to be done. All the grass has gone along with the plants with the famous apricot trees remaining. Loads of various sands have

delicious as people had a terrific afternoon which finished up with a delectable afternoon tea at Chris’s 8 house, one of Bathurst’s hidden gems – Glendower might be to the RAAF. At this ground school a which Lewis Lloyd, MLA, had constructed around number of instructors, who were invariably recruited 1885 on the site of an earlier residence though the former school teachers, gave many aptitude tests. family left in 1886 after their infant son passed a way. There various assessments were to indicate how you Lewis Lloyd was once manager of the Burraga copper were to be trained in the future – pilots, navigators, mine. The home has a most interesting history. wireless operators, gunners, bombardiers etc.

The tour started and finished at the Bathurst Court Maurice was to train as a pilot and then spent some House and was billed as “an intriguing bus tour with months at No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School an historical twist.” at Mascot Airport before being sent to the No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School at Temora in From the cemetery the tour wound its way through central New South Wales. His final posting was to Bathurst first stopping at Machattie Park to see the No. 6 Service Flying Training School near Molalla Freeman Gates memorial to Pilot Officer Maurice J. in South Australia for several months. Freeman 413561 who was part of RAAF 460 Squadron. He was killed over Germany on 23rd The Service Flying Training School was an November, 1943, and was later buried at Dusseldorf. advanced training operational flying school for successful RAAF pilots. They were trained on The gates are located on the Keppel Street side of fighter and multi-engine aircrafts. After his final Machattie Park. The actual gates were removed and move and fine tuning of his flying skills Maurice relocated into the park from ‘Delaware’ in Russell was shipped back with many others to New South Street. Made during the late 1800s the gates were re- Wales for final leave. They were quite aware and assembled in memory of the World War Two somewhat excited as they were about to embark for Lancaster Bomber pilot Captain Maurice Joseph Britain for overseas flying duty. Freeman with two others of his crew, the rest survived. Then it was off to look at the wrought iron overhead railway bridge with construction starting in 1876 and approved by John Whitton, Chief Engineer of the New South Wales Government Railways. oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo

TOWN SQUARE SIGNAGE

Details of his death are on the plaque on the gate so have a look sometime. There are a number of interesting associated, but sad, stories behind this family. His brothers Pat and Terry also enlisted in the RAAF during the war. Maurice's father, Michael, joined the Royal Australian Engineers when his three sons entered the RAAF and was accidentally killed with three other soldiers from a bomb blast while they were cutting and sawing wood at J Block, Bathurst Military Camp on Limekilns Road.

Maurice Joseph Freeman was born in Bathurst on 20th September, 1915. He went to school here and enlisted in Sydney on 12th September, 1941, just before his twenty sixth birthday. His service number You may have noticed the new photo-signs around was 413561 and he named his father Michael as his central Bathurst along with new paving blocks which next-of-kin. After training he sailed to England to have been put into the pavement as part of the become part of 460 Squadron. promotion of Bathurst’s historic Town Square.

Initially Maurice was sent to do an ITS course for a Bathurst’s Town Square occupies the block bounded period of six weeks. There was no flying but a by William, Russell, George and Howick Streets. A chance for the authorities to access what use he preliminary town plan, incorporating the distinctive 9 town square, was prepared by Surveyor J. Larmer in Burns snr. a Bathurst stonemason, was awarded the 1832, with the final plan released under Mitchell’s contract in 1896 for £185. signature, and with Governor Bourke’s approval, in The bridge is a segmented masonry arch bridge, January 1833 however the feature was not proceeded solidly constructed of granite. It is 13 metres in with. length and has a height in excess of 6.5 metres. The Few Bathurstians are aware of the Bathurst Town archway spans 4.4 metres and the carriageway is 4.7 Square even though in September 2010 the metres wide. There are stone buildings at Geographical Names Board of New South Wales Abercrombie House which appear to have been built officially recognised the “Bathurst Town Square” as similarly with identical raised tuckpointing. The fact a designated Historic Area and is a significant area that James Horne Stewart owned land on the when it comes to the history of Bathurst. The new Macquarie River along Freemantle Road may signage seeks to inform Bathurst residents and indicate a connection with similar structures in the visitors of some of this early history. vicinity. oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo

KELLOSHIEL CREEK STONE BRIDGE Over time, soil erosion from land clearing and grazing upstream caused gravel to be deposited Recently Christopher Morgan and I attended the along the creek bed causing a large reduction in the opening of the Kelloshiel Creek Stone Bridge on space under the bridge. This is evident from the Freemantle Road. For some considerable time Kevin 1947 photo that appears with the information. Boole and Terry Rath (below) have been trying to save this historic bridge which was damaged and Locals recall that in the early 1920’s the bridge was could have been demolished. Fortunately, with the a watering point for horses in their long journeys to co-operation of the Bathurst Regional Council, and from Bathurst. They also recount which they Central West Catchment Authority, Bathurst District could ride their horses under the bridge and stand up Historical Society and Mount Rankin Landcare and get swallow eggs from mud nests that still exist. Group Inc. this significant structure has been saved. Others talk of racing their sulkies under the bridge. Adjoining residents from “Kelloshiel” as children in the 1930’s were warned to stay away from the “Convict Bridge” because of the deep water nearby.

By-passed and carefully restored in 2011, it is a monument to the pioneers of the Central West after more than a century of use.

Kevin Boole carried out research on the bridge over many years and has taken a keen interest in its preservation. Kevin was able to glean the following history which appears on the photo-sign at the site.

Bathurst Land Grants in 1823 established properties West of Eglinton. This road from Eglinton, now named Freemantle Road, was in use from the 1820’s Above - Kevin Boole officially opening the restored and officially surveyed in 1876. The road crossed Kelloshiel Creek Stone Bridge on Freemantle Road. Kelloshiel Creek within the original Kelloshiel The bridge is located just past the 2BS radio towers Grant. In those days the creek ran along a deep gully. and is well worth a look. oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo Where the road crossed the creek was known as ‘Vogt’s Gully”, named after Adma Vogt, a market SOFALA RESIDENT INSOLVENT gardener who lived just west of the creek. In the New South Wales Government Gazette of Crossing the steep gully and creek was difficult, and 27th September, 1861, appears a notice concerning tenders were called in 1895 for a stone bridge. Mr. J. the Insolvent Estate of Moritz Mendell of Sofala, 10 Licenced Victualler, giving notice to creditors that Sofala and was in time able to pay back his creditors. the Commissioner of Insolvent Estates would be His son Frederick would later volunteer to serve in sitting in the District Court at Bathurst on 10th the Sudan War. October, 1861, at 11am. Creditors were advised that Frederick Moritz Mendel was single when he they needed to bring proof of debts. volunteered as one of nineteen soldiers from Bathurst and district who sailed for the Sudan. He put his name in late and it is believed that he did not make the parade as his horse went lame on the way in from Sofala. He was an ex-member of the Bathurst Volunteer Rifles under the new organisation. He was born in the Royal Hotel at Sofala in 1866 and was nineteen when he passed his medical, though his Army records show his age as 21. Frederick was assigned number 223 and he was proud that he had been accepted as a private in the Infantry Regiment of the NSW Contingent.

The men who served received the Khedive Star which was issued for service by the Khedive Tewfik of Egypt and given to those Army and Navy servicemen who were eligible for the Egypt medal. Authorised in 1882 and struck by Jenkins of The notice in full states : - In the Insolvent Estate of Birmingham in England and were issued unnamed. Moritz Mendell, of Sofala, Licensed Victualler. The Khedive Star is a five pointed star with a circle JOHN MORRIS being the Official Assignee in the centre featuring the Sphinx and several appointed in this Estate, this is to give notice, that all pyramids in the background. This is surrounded by a debts due to the same are to be paid to him, the said band which has Egypt and the year at the top with Official Assignee; also, that a Third Public Meeting ‘Khedive of Egypt’ and the year in the Muslim of the Creditors of the said Moritz Mendell, will be calendar and written in the Egyptian language at the holden before the ‘Commissioner of Insolvent bottom. The two lots of information are separated by Estates’ for the District of Bathurst, at the Court a dot on either side. On the back of the medal, the House, Bathurst, on Thursday, the 10th day of reverse, is the Khedive of Egypt’s monogram October next, to commence at 11 A.M., for the proof surmounted by a crown. This star has a special of debts against the said Estate, to receive the report suspension comprising a suspension ring joined to a of the Official Assignee as to the then condition of clasp consisting of an ornamental clasp with a star the same; also, for giving him directions as to its and crescent on it. The ribbon is deep blue in colour and 37mm wide. future management, and as to whether the Creditors will permit the said Insolvent to retain for his own use his household furniture, wearing apparel, beds, bedding, and tools of trade, or any part thereof respectively. Dated at Sydney, the 26th day of September, A.D. 1861. ALFRED McFARLAND, Chief Commissioner of Insolvent Estates.

A bible was presented to Mendel by Mrs. Price, wife of the Baptist minister in Bathurst. She was the local secretary of the New South Wales Auxiliary of British and Foreign Bible Society. Mrs. Price visited all the men on parade in Bathurst prior to their departure to give them their bibles just days before they left Bathurst for Sydney and the Sudan. Some Mr. Mendall was licensee of the Royal Hotel in also received another bible in Sydney. 11 The first brick makers at Bathurst were convicts and Some time later Mendel wrote in a letter that the started making bricks within a short time after British troops had expected the New South Wales Governor Macquarie proclaimed the township of colonial troops to all be black, not all white. Bathurst. The bricks were being made on a site down oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo on the Macquarie River. The convicts had to hand LOOKING BACK! make bricks in a crude mould and then dry them in the sun.

Convicts were expected to put some mark on their bricks but that didn’t mean they did. Whilst many of these early bricks are easily identifiable as they have a special mark such as the Government’s broad arrow though they could also have diamonds, hearts or other shaped patterns on them. The broad arrow was only officially introduced from 1819 in the Colony of New South Wales by Governor Macquarie. It also seems likely with the number of bricks found with thumb marks that convicts would put a thumb mark, a sort of tally mark, into every so many bricks, say ten or twenty for ease of counting to make their quota for the day. This sounds great until we realise that the convict had to take the ‘wet’ brick from the mould after it had partially ‘set’ to lay it in the sun, so there is probably more finger prints that don’t relate to anything other than handling.

Many of the early colonial bricks are actually Theo Barker receiving his Life Membership at the smaller than what the domestic brick are today. 50th Anniversary Dinner of the Bathurst District Being smaller it was easier to dry them in the Historical Society held on 8th May, 1997. A large sunshine as these men did not have access to the number of members and guests gathered for the high temperature kilns of today. In fact in Bathurst it evening which was held at Lamplighters in William was almost two decades before brick kilns were built here. Street.

oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo Often numbers of small timber press moulds were

CONVICT BRICKS used to form the brick and either a carved timber and later lead moulds in the shape used to ‘brand’ the bricks were employed.

The mould or shape in the centre of one side is known as the ‘frog’ which served two purposes, firstly it allowed the mortar to adhere more securely to the bricks when being laid and it identified the maker of the brick. Unfortunately these frogs did not have to be registered so we are not able to easily identify who was the maker today. The number and variety of ‘frogs’ are mind boggling and provide an endless fascination for collectors. Whilst we historians have had a long interest in our nation’s convict heritage many ordinary Aussies and Im always on the lookout for examples of early and our ancestors have, it seems, been unwilling to unusual bricks. oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo accept their convict origins. The shame of having a ‘convict’ in the family, the hiding of that history in BATHURST CONNECTION COMES TO LIGHT family trees, has really only now been replaced by pride. To this end many ‘convict’ items, both A photographic exhibition was held in early 1953 personal and public, no longer remain. Bricks made with Mr. J. Peter Moodie, local chemist, travelling to by convicts are one item, probably due to their solid Sydney for the opening night along with several Bathurst Camera Club members. nature, that have survived. I have been a brick collector for many, many years and have had a KODAK (Australasia) PTY. LTD. had invited Mr. particular fascination for these early bricks in Moodie and local members to inspect the B. 0. particular and my collection will form the basis for HOLTERMANN Photographic Collection - one of my future books. “EIGHTY YEARS AFTER” featuring

12 AUSTRALIAN LIFE AND SCENES DURING Mitchell Library, Sydney, and, in due course, the 1871—1876 which were photographed by Beaufoy collection was placed on the accession list by the Merlin and Charles Bayliss. The group visited the Trustees. Mitchell Library and the Kodak Salon Gallery on the first floor at 386 George Street, in Sydney.

GENERAL INFORMATION Museum and Archives: East Wing, Bathurst Court House, Russell Street. P.O. Box 237, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: (02) 63308455 (Museum Open Hours) Email: [email protected]

Annual Membership Subscription (due July 1st) $20 single and $30 family Corporate on request Keast Burke wrote some historical notes at the time Once only joining fee of $25 – the Holtermann Collection was dramatically re- discovered late in 1951 by the grandson of its Museum Hours: founder, in the company of members of the Editorial Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Staff of The Australasian Photo-Review. It had been 10am – 4pm. Sunday 11am-2pm stored away in a backyard shed in a North Sydney Archives Hours: suburb, its existence forgotten for more than a Tuesday 10.30am-12.30pm; 1.30-3.30pm generation. Subject to volunteers availability.

Mr. B.O. Holtermann was a goldminer of Hill End, Old Government Cottage Hours: New South Wales who achieved world-wide and Open each Sunday 12 noon to 4pm. lasting fame when in October, 1872, there was found Information on the Society, as well as in his shaft the largest specimen of reef gold ever membership application forms, are available at the located in the world - it weighed some seven front desk during opening hours. thousand ounces. Holtermann is also remembered for his building, in 1874, of the residence and tower Photos by - Alan McRae, Samantha Friend and Alan in North Sydney which is now occupied by the Hammond Sydney Church of England Grammar School. Alan McRae FAIHA Newsletter Editor At the suggestion of Kodak Australasia Pty. Ltd., the Holtermann Estate offered the collection to The