HOBBY'S OUTREACH Newsletter of BLUE MOUNTAINS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Inc.

PO Box 17, WENTWORTH FALLS, NSW 2782 ISSN 1835-301 0 Hobby's Reach, 99 Blaxland Rd , Wentworth Falls Telephone: (02) 4757 3824 Web: www.bluemountainshistory.com Email: [email protected] Volume 22 Number 6 February - March 2011

Mary Shaw them, as if her beloved animals had signed off on Mary Magee, formerly Mary Shaw, was born in her work. The book was eventually published in Malaya in 1936. Her father was Mark McGahey 1988 and is one of our better local histories. Mary (1894-1975) who ran a plantation there. He married, took the approach of detailing the stories of the in 1930, Maxine Dominica Foy (1902-1972, second valley's pioneer families and was able to obtain an ~'lild and eldest daughter of Mark Foy the second outstanding selection of never before published ...-d65-1950)). When the family came to a pictures of the valley's early days and people due few years later, they bought their Chinese nanny to her good relationships with the Wong Ah Tong. There is a picture of Mary and community. (The book also contained a chapter by her brother Michael (1934-2004) with Wong Ah myself, my first published writing on Gundungurra Tong in John Law's book (Pictorial Memories, history). Blue Mountains, 1991 , page 42). Some of Mary's earliest years were spent visiting Mark Foy's During the book's production my partnership with properties; Sheleagh Cottage in Medlow Bath, the Marlene had begun and I visited Mary Shaw with Valley Farm in Megalong Valley and Eumemmering her, enjoying a number of conversations about Hall in Bellevue Hill. Later in life she lived as a the history of the Megalong Valley and the Hydro boarder in the Hydro Majestic hotel. She said that Majestic. During these fireside chats I noticed that full board there was cheaper than rent elsewhere. she was on the alert to keep her cat out of a certain room. Enquiring as to what was in there, I was Mary's first marriage was to Ken Shaw. They had shown a vast quantity of Foy family papers and a son Max, who was named after Maximilian Foy, photos going back to the 1880s, much of which she the half brother of Mark Foy, who was in turn had inherited from her mother. Included were Mark named after a French ancestor. Mary came to Foy's letters and diaries, detailing the development '---"~ Megalong Valley in 1972, purchasing a pise and management of the Hydro Majestic, his house built in 1926 by one of the Boyd family. financial affairs and travels. I felt that this wealth She renamed it Eummering, a name with long of material offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity associations with the Foy family. Mary enjoyed to write an in-depth history of the Hydro Majestic. doing long horse rides through the largely Mary went through the records selecting the papers unfenced Valley and developed a rapport with the to answer my questions. Her astute analysis and descendants of the pioneer families. interpretation of the evidence, as well as her wealth of anecdotal material, accumulated during her long The Megalong Valley Sporting and Progress association with many branches of the Foy family, Association obtained a bicentennial grant in contributed greatly to the developing book. I found 1987 from Blue Mountains City Council to write it impossible to separate the history of the Hydro a history of the Megalong Valley. Mary Shaw was Majestic during its first 50 years from the biography well qualified to take on this task. She wrote the of Mark Foy and conceived the idea of a book manuscript by hand and the book was typed, as a combining the two stories. voluntary activity, by Blue Mountains bicentennial coordinator Marlene Jones. On sunny days Mary I grew alarmed at the state of Mary's house. The worked on the book at a desk in her backyard. Boyd family pise houses were built without proper On windy days the loose pages would be lifted foundations. Some of Mary's walls were cracked from her desk and blown around her donkey yard. and listing. I was concerned about the fate of the Marlene, when typing from these pages, found Foy family papers if Mary's house collapsed. I was that some of them had donkey hoof prints on able to persuade her to loan me parcels of the papers, which I took to Hobby's Reach and From Mordialloc to Megalong via Medlow - photocopied (when copies for members were the travels of an Aboriginal placename 10 cents per page). Over several years I copied thousands of pages. Eumemmering is an Aboriginal placename in the Mordialloc district of Victoria. Mark Foy senior The Megalong Valley changed rapidly in the decade (1828-1884) purchased a 10,000 acre swamp in after Mary Shaw's book came out, with the invasion this area and persuaded the government to drain of 'treechangers', commercial developments and it. It was initially developed as market gardens and increased fencing, which inhibited her horse riding later for residential development. His son Mark Foy through the valley. Most of the descendants of junior (1865-1950) named his Bellevue Hill mansion the pioneer families left the valley. Mary felt that (completed in February 1894) Eumemmering the Megalong Valley had become too 'busy'. She Hall. One of Fay's real estate subdivisions in sought a quieter environment to live with her Medlow Bath included a Eumemmering Street. collection of elderly horses and donkeys, eventually Mark Foy junior's granddaughter, Mary Shaw, after choosing a peaceful property at Bogee in the purchasing her cottage in the Megalong Valley Capertee Valley. I helped her pack the Foy family renamed it Eumemmering. She believed, on the records into archive boxes. When I visited her I was basis of family tradition, that the name meant impressed with the beauty of the surroundings and 'murmuring waters'. However, there are both her remarkable view. She said her animals "had not alternative spellings and meanings. I have seen lifted their heads for weeks" as they enjoyed the the spelling Eumernering on a Foy family photo superior grazing of the Capertee grasslands. She dated 1887. Aldo Massola's 'Aboriginal Place "--./ then married her second husband, Charles Magee. Names of southeast Australia and their meanings' Mary visited the Hydro Majestic on the fourth of (Lansdowne, Melbourne, 1968) has the following July 2004. She was very disappointed that the entry: hotel's management had no official celebrations of the hotel's centenary. She invited me to her private 'Eumemmering Creek:Um-um-mir-ring, um-um, celebration, during which we played a game of yes, to agree, pleased with, to like, mirring, to hear.' croquet on the lawn (it's not as easy as it looks). I don't know if this is correct either as Massola's Charles and Mary's life seemed idyllic but information came from sources of variable reliability. unfortunately Mary was diagnosed with cancer. Alleged Aboriginal placename meanings, especially This did not stop her from doing a new edition of those passed down in non-Aboriginal oral tradition, Historic Megalong Valley, two decades after it first are often incorrect. Their pronunciations are also appeared. She travelled to the Megalong hall for often quite different to how they were spoken by the launch. The hall is beside the sports ground Aboriginal people. where Mary had helped to organise the valley's Jim Smith annual gymkhanas for many years.

Last year I visited her with representatives of the News from the Book Shop Hydro Majestic's new owners. She viewed and was excited by the redevelopment plans. This was the The Society's book shop is an absolute treasure last time I saw her. Mary had strongly expressed trove of Australian local history books, mostly at her wish to die at home surrounded by her beautiful very competitive prices. hills. However she needed professional care at the Two new books are now stocked, Dr William Bell's, end and was moved to a facility at Mudgee. Here Settlers Guide or Modern Domestic Medicine and she died a few days after her 75th birthday. Surgery, Windsor, NSW, 1849, priced at $30. Read and practice the advice if you dare! I finished the first scribbled draft of the Hydro The second book is a second edition of Mary Majestic history in 2003. Immediately after I began a Shaw's Historic Megalong Valley, priced at $20, a Ph.D. which took two years longer than I expected. fascinating account of the first families and their Due to other commitments and opportunities I occupations. regret that I was not able to produce a draft of the book readable by Mary before she died. The new managers of the Hydro Majestic have agreed to Editor's Note publish the book in a lavish edition in time for the hotel's reopening in late 2012. It will be dedicated Last date for copy for the April HOR Fri 11th March to Mary. to - [email protected] Jim Smith

2 Walks and Talks February - March 2011

Saturday 5 February MEETING - Speaker: Jan Barkley-Jack, 'Hawkesbury Settlement Revealed : Australia's Third Mainland Settlement 1793-1802'. Ill-health prevented Jan giving this talk last year and we are glad to be able to welcome her as our first speaker for 2011. She is a well-known and highly respected historian and this talk will focus upon her most recent book, an exciting new look at the history ~f the Hawkesbury region . A talk not to be missed! Further information: John Low, 4782 3751.

Monday 14 February EXCURSION - A Visit to Fort Denison in Harbour. What a lovely way to start our 2011 program! We will take the 7.59 am train from Wentworth Falls to Parramatta, then the loop bus to Parramatta wharf where we will board the 10.30 am River Cat express to Circular Quay, arriving at 11 .25 am. At jetty No. 6 we will catch the Fort Denison ferry at 12 noon. A tour has been arranged for 12.15 pm. There are cafe facilities on the Fort or you can take a picnic. Return ferries to Circular Quay are at 2.10 pm and 3.05 pm. Cost is $25 plus your fare to the city. Phone Susan Warmbath on 4757 3402 to book and money will be taken at the February meeting.

Saturday 5 March MEETING - The Beryl Mclaughlin Lecture. Speaker: John Ellison, 'The City of the Arts & the Dog Catcher'. The Blue Mountains has had a long association with the arts and John himself has lived and worked as an artist in the Blue Mountains for many years. During the period 1991 to 1996 •- -.was the Blue Mountains City Council's Cultural Development Officer and was an early Chairperson '\-<' ~94) of the Winter Magic Festival in Katoomba. He has held numerous exhibitions of his work, is an inspiring teacher and is the author of over 30 articles on art for the Australian Artist magazine. He currently exhibits and teaches at the Nolan on Love! Gallery. John has an intimate knowledge of and strong opinions about the arts in the Blue Mountains and his lecture promises to be a challenging and thought provoking one. The Mclaughlin Lecture will again be held at the Wentworth Falls School of Arts. Further information: John Low, 4782 3751.

Monday 14 March EXCURSION -A Visit to Mount Wilson. Meet at Hobby's Reach 9.30 am for trip by community bus to Mt Wilson. We will visit the Turkish Bath and tour with a guide around the village. A light lunch has been arranged at $12 a head or bring a picnic. Cost of bus, Turkish Bath and lunch is $30. Money and names will be collected at the March meeting. For further information contact Susan Warmbath on 4757 3402.

Saturday 2 April AGM MEETING - The Annual General Meeting will be held at the earlier time of 10am with morning tea served at its conclusion. This will then be followed by our SPEAKER - Peter Newton, 'All you Gotta Do Is Swing - Some Adventures and Misadventures at the Sharp End of Jazz'. Peter, a recently joined member of the Blue Mountains Historical Society, is a freelance writer, specialist J itor, discographer/ bibliographer and essayist who has spent much of his adult life writing about the varieties of jazz. He has also served on many management committees for private and government sponsored promoters dedicated specifically to jazz. He is presently Chair of the NSW Jazz Archive and for 22 years has edited Quarterly Rag, the flagship journal of the Sydney Jazz Club. Further information: John Low, 4782 3751.

Monday 11 April EXCURSION - Bus Trip to Richmond , 9 am departure. Full details later. For further information contact Don Graham, 4751 2991.

Workshop on Research

Hobby's Reach Research Centre on Wednesday 23 February 2011 at 1O.OOam will host the first of a series of guides to the Society's collections. These will be informal meetings, intended to familiarise members with our paper-based historical information - what we have, where it is and how we use it - and to help members access the holdings on their own. The first workshop, a guide to research , will be run by Joan Smith. There will be subsequent workshops on the library and Tarella holdings. subsequent workshops are planned to include a guide to the library's scope and organization, run by Judy Barham, and a guide to Tarella's three dimensional artefacts, run by the Curator.

3 William Henry Hargraves' decade in It is unlikely that the cave was used for church Medlow Bath services after Hargraves leased that block of land to Mark Foy on 12 April 1902 and which he later Peter C. Rickwood, Brian K. Fox 10 transferred to Foy on 4 May 1903 • " .... passing through Medlow by rail -road one's Wi lliam Henry Hargraves (1839-1925) was attention is irresistibly attracted to the handsome born in 1839 at Dapto, when it was called Five 1 new cottage villa .. . .Mr. W.H. Hargraves purchased Islands , the second son of Edward Hammond ... about 107 acres near the Med low station, and Hargraves and Elizabeth (nee Mackay) - his father about 18 months ago (c. May 1893) began the being famous for reputedly discovering 'payable 2 erection of the house .... completed on a plan of • gold' at Ophir, near Orange, in April 1851 11 Mr. Hargrave's own, .. . " . W.H. Hargraves was a lawyer who became Deputy­ Registrar in Equity 3 and in his private capacity had a long association with Blackheath commencing in 1876 and he continued to own some land there until at least World War I. His residence named 'Eirene' (later called 'Cleopatra') was in Cleopatra Street and he on-sold it in 1893 when he moved to Medlow Bath with his housekeeper, Annie E. Plumb. The focus of attention here is directed to his association with Medlow - the village that Mark Foy instigated to be called Medlow Bath (1 November 4 1903 ) . Hargraves' purchases of land at Medlow were: • on 9 August 1892 he purchased Lots 17, 18 and 19 5; •on 13 September 1892 he purchased Portion 56 (consolidating with Lots 17-19) - Figure 1;

• on 3 March 1893 he purchased Lots 16, 20, 21 12 Figure 2: William Hargraves' cottage, Medlow • and 22 6·

o.f I ' l ~ But where exactly was Hargraves' house? During ll \\'J l\, nWt't'I alterations and extensions to the Hydro Majestic, I\ Hargraves' house was incorporated into the existing building at the rear, or western part, of the large 14 wing at the southern end of Cats Alley ; this position is shown in Figure 3.

7 Figure 1: William Hargraves' land at Medlow .

On Portion 56 was a cave that is due west of the boundary of Lots 12 & 13 on the Belgravia Estate No.2 8 in Lot 1 of DP 133407; that was on land owned by William Henry Hargraves from the time that the transfer was witnessed and signed on 13th September 1892. Hargraves gave permission for a small group to hold church services in this cave and they were meeting there from at least 15 Figure 3: Stated location of Hargraves' house . early September 1894 when notification was 9 published in the first issue of The Mountaineer •

4 10 7 Hence the house had been built mostly on Lot 16 Reference · which Hargraves bought on 3 March 1893 16 but a 11 Anonymous, 'A Mountain Pioneer', The small part of the southern side was on the adjacent Mountaineer, 23 November 1894, p.3, col.6. Lot 17 which Hargraves had acquired seven months 12 Blue Mountains City Council, Local Studies previously on 9 August 1892 17 and consolidated Library, Springwood, photo 469, http:// 18 with Portion 56 on 13 September 1892 . Legally, photosau.com/bluemountains/scripts/home. Hargraves could not have commenced to build asp; reproduced by Edds & Associates (1997, his house until he purchased Lot 16 on 3 March illustration 3.5, p.3-8) 13 and in that document 1893 and that accords with the date implied in the there are other photographs (illustration 6.2, quotation above. p.6-3; illustration 6.17, p.6-35). Along with most of his other land holdings, 13 Edds & Associates, 'Hydro Majestic Hotel', Hargraves leased Lots 16 and 17 to Mark Foy on Med/ow Bath Conservation Plan , Appendix A, 12 April 1902 19 and sold them to him on 4 May May/June 1997; BMCC Local Studies Library, 20 21 1903 and left the area. Annie E. Plumb , the Springwood, LSQ 363.69 GRA. 14 13 housekeeper, was widowed early in 1903 on the Figure 4.1 , p.4-74; pp.6-1 and 6-4 in Reference · 22 15 death of John G. Plumb , with whom she was not Map from http://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/ living at the time! She quickly remarried in Sydney, bmccmap/parcel search.cfm. Blue Mountains this second time to William Henry Hargraves 23 City Council website; the map pixilates too greatly when he would have been aged 64. William retired if enlarged further. in 1912 after a sixty six year association with the 16 Land Titles Office (1893), Certificate of Title, 24 13 1acy Department and the Equity Court of NSW Vol.1089, Fol.159; and p.A-3 in Reference · '-..._.., 17 5 at one time being designated as Deputy-Registrar Reference · 25 18 7 in Equity, City of Sydney , but little is known of Reference · 19 7 his activities in the last quarter century of his life. Reference · 20 7 After having had a significant involvement with the Reference · 26 21 community of Blackheath , it is surprising that Anonymous, 'Deaths. Hargraves', Sydney Morning he appears to have led such a quiet time whilst Herald, 11 April 1925, p.12, col.1. residing at Medlow. William Henry Hargraves 22 Death, John G. Plumb, 1903, Reg.No. 65/1903, died on 9 April 1925 27 and was survived by Annie Births, Deaths & Marriages; Eleanor Hargraves 28 who lived for another five Anonymous, 'Funerals', Sydney Morning Herald, years until 17 June 1930 when she departed aged 12 January 1903, p.10, col.1. 29 23 eighty two . Marriage, Annie E. Plumb and William Henry Hargraves, 1925, Reg.No. 2539/1903, NSWBDM. References 24 Anonymous, 'Obituary. William Henry Hargraves', 1 The Cyclopedia of New South Wales, An Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 11 April 1925, Historical and Commercial Review, Mccarron, p.16, col.3. 25 7 16 Stewart & Co., Sydney, 1907, p.322; Blue References and · Mountains Historical Society, Ref. 003.50. 26 Rickwood, P.C., 'The Formative Years 1880-1930', 30 2--"Jones, F., and Cook, K. , 'Searching for Australia's p.81 in Reference ; Rickwood, P.C. 'George Evans 30 El Dorado', Minfact25, February 2000, New (1838-191 O)', p.95 in Reference ; Rickwood, South Wales Department of Mineral Resources, P.C. , 'No.81 William Henry HARGRAVES (1839- 4pp. 1925)', pp.4 7-48 in The Blue Mountains Pioneer 3 1 Reference · Register, Pre 1930, Volume Two, Blue Mountains 4 Anonymous, 'News in Brief', The Mountaineer, Family History Society, Springwood, 2008, pp. 47- 30 October 1903, p.4, col.5. 48; Hubert, P. 'The Private Blackheath Retreats', 5 6 30 & Land Titles Office (1890), Certificate of Title, pp.179-188 in Reference · Vol. 994, Fol.119. 27 Anonymous, 'Funerals. Hargraves', Sydney 7 Land Titles Office (1892), Certificate of Title, Morning Herald, 11 April 1925, p.11, col.1. Vol.1069, Fol.135. 28 Fox, B.K., Blue Mountains Geographical 8 'Belgravia Estate, Medlow, Blue Mountain. For Dictionary, Bathurst, 2006, item 1316. Auction Sale by Richardson Wrench Auctioneers, 29 Death, Annie E. Hargraves, 1930, Reg.No. on the Ground Boxing Day 26th. December 65/1903, NSWBDM. 1891. S. Pollitzer, Engineer & Licenced Surveyor'; 30 Rickwood, P.C. , and West, D.J., (Eds) Mitchell Library, NSW Towns, Subdivisions: BLACKHEATH: Today from Yesterday. The Medlow Bath ZTP: M3/16 (other copies /15 & /38). History of a Town in the Blue Mountains of New 9 Anonymous,' Church Notices. Blackheath', The South Wales, Writelight Pty Ltd, Blackheath, Mountaineer, 7 September 1894, p.1 , col. 3. 2005.

5 Saving scientific heritage The Hydro Majestic mermaids

'They look like something out of Doctor Who - a For no apparent reason, the Hobby's Outreach wacky collection of historic scientific instruments, issue of December 2010-January 2011 included ranging from chemical balances to atomic a reprint of an advertisement by Mark Foy inviting absorption spectrometers, from transmission visitors to view the 'Real Mermaids' at the Hydro electron microscopes to potentiometers.'* Majestic hotel in 1913, admission price one shilling. From the 1980s two lecturers at the University It is possible that many members of the Blue of New South Wales, Brian Craven and David Mountains Historical Society have not seen one Alderdice, were collecting old scientific instruments of these 'mermaids'. They were in reality stuffed in the hope that in time a Museum would be Dugongs displayed in an undignified manner, as established at the University. Some of these in this old postcard. Foy purchased his male and instruments had been originally in use in the C19th female specimens on a trip to Europe via the Suez at the Sydney Technical College, the University's Canal. Their present whereabouts are unknown. parent body. As time went on, more instruments were Jim Smith acquired by donation and by purchase. An undergraduate course on the history of scientific instrumentation was introduced. Display cases were purchased and set up in the Chemistry Building. All went well until the reorganisation of some of the University buildings meant that the display cases had to be moved and, after a series of comings and goings, they were transferred to the main University Library, where they remain. Of a total of 700 instruments, about 100 of the choicest museum-quality pieces - including the oldest instrument, a chemical slide rule made by William Cary in 1814 (the year when engineer Cox built 101 miles of road across the Blue Mountains in six months) - are kept under glass. Items that could not be fitted into display cases were put into storage, and in some cases loaned to schools with the idea of creating 'a museum without walls. "An on-loan program isn't the best for conservation", an honours student at Macquarie University, Mikayla Keen, who had fallen in love with the collection, admits, "But if these pieces are just kept in storage, they are not fulfilling their destiny. They don't really have a value unless they are being Mermaid - Aden looked at, being used, or helping to teach people about the history of science" '. * During the course of these ups and downs, the two originators of the idea maintained their efforts, which were fuelled by their interest in the objects themselves and the feeling that their loss would be Worth a look at ~ Dictionary of Sydney - a tragedy for the University and for the community http://www.dictionaryofsydney.org as a whole. then click on Places Brian Craven * Abbr'd, Sydney Morning Herald, c.2003 Currently (4 January 2011) there are articles available on the following Blue Mountains villages.

Finding that orders drawn on me by Mr. Hugh McDiarmid Mount Wilson - Ian Jack (2008) are still in circulation, this is to give notice to all parties Blackheath - PCR (2008) concerned that I have long since stoped paying them. Katoomba - John Merriman (2008) James Walker. Leura - John Low (2008) O'Connell Plains, April 16th, 1851 Lawson - Nance Cooper (2010) Bathurst Free Press, 26 April 1851 Sun Valley - Bruce Cameron (2008)

6 How I saw the Bush was glad of this, for the scenery seemed to me impossible to surpass. Magnificent ranges of vivid by a British Globe-Trotter blue mountains rolled far away below my feet, under the break of an immense brown precipice There was only a day or two to spare between some thousands of feet high. The air was cool, one boat and another. They all told me I must clear, and invigorating as iced champagne. After the see something of the Bush, however; they said I heat and dust of Sydney, it seemed Paradise. would not rest quiet in my grave if I spent my time A pleasant gentleman whom I met on the all in Sydney, and never looked outside the great platform offered to show me the way, and another, city at the wonderful Australian land itself. They with true colonial hospitality, insisted upon carrying assured me that my ultimate dying hours would my "swag." Thus escorted, I walked up a couple be hopelessly embittered in the years to come if of hundred yards of road , and came immediately, I missed carrying out such an obvious duty, and without any warning, upon a place that made me stayed weakly among the flesh-pots and fine linen, wonder whether I was in my right senses or not. with all te wilderness calling me outside; so I went. Indeed, after a day or more, after being accustomed After all, England expects that every tourist will do to it, I wondered still. his duty, and I felt that it would be an adventure, at Where was the tin-roofed inn? Where the the least. sleepy proprietor in shirt-sleeves? Where, indeed, I had read lots about Australia, and knew all the local color? There was Monte Carlo, whirled everything that one really needs to know. So I across twelve thousand miles of sea, and set down -eked a portmanteau with a few necessities in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales - or '=-'shirts and socks, and a tin basin, and a billy, and the section of the Hotel Cecil, with a slice of the a few score cartridges, and a decent revolver - and Louvre and the Tuilleries thrown in - or a handful took the train to Medlow Bath, which I had heard of Hatfield, with a few hundred feet of the National was the most interesting spot in the celebrated Gallery grafted on - it came upon me with a shock, Blue Mountains. I could not quite understand the that there must be things in Australia which I had "Bath" part of it; but it seemed probable that there never heard of. was some aboriginal bathing pool in the immediate I asked had they a room? They said, there were neighbourhood, which would no doubt add to the about 100 guests at present, so they had sixty or interest of the expedition. seventy rooms for me to choose from . I cannot As the train rushed steadily along over the explain what followed; whether the strong mountain wide grassy plains, dotted with tall gum trees, air had gone to my head a little, or whether the or crept slowly up the long, heavy slopes that surprise I had received had made me reckless, but led towards the mountain country, I pictured to I said, somewhat wildly, I would be shown them all , myself Medlow and my arrival - the long, dusty and I was. walk from the station into who knew what strange First of all , I passed into a hall, where the cool solitudes, peopled only by the weird Platypus, and spring air was pleasantly tempered by a glowing ~ .... ca melancholy Mopoke; the sight, at last, of the "ingle-nook" fire of huge eucalyptus logs. Out of '....<.i mble little inn far away, the host sitting out on this opened smoking rooms, libraries, drawing the verandah, in a cabbage-leaf hat and his shirt­ rooms, libraries, drawing rooms, exquisitely sleeves, reading last Saturday month's weekly furnished in a style somewhat reminiscent of paper; myself laden with the portmanteau that I had Watteau and Boucher. In one room was a shop! - already learned to call my "swag," walking up to I give my word as and English gentleman, a shop the grateful shadow of the little shanty, and saying, - with ties and caps and haberdashery stuff, and in the purest Australian: "My word , pardner, can picture post-cards, and the dozen little things one you give a sundowner a bunk?" The simple homely forgets to put into one's portmanteau - all ready meal of mutton and dampers, and neighbourly to buy. gossip about bush rangers and blackfellows, and Subsequently there came passage. It was only a the number of fleeces and sheep this year, and passage, but it was like something at Windsor, and other subjects of local interest - how clearly I saw again, very like something at Chatsworth, and, yet and heard it all! I was about to realise one of my again, made one think of a certain bit of the Winter most cherished dreams at last, and see the simple Palace. Do Australian houses and hotels generally Australian in his unpretending home. Eager to take have corridors over 600ft. long? Like Miss Rosa pleasure in all I saw, ready to rough it with the best, Dartle, I only ask for information. This one had. It and prepared to make every generous allowance for had a dozen or two little recesses, dotted all along the ignorance of a primitive young nation, still in the its immense length, each fitted up in a different raw, I alighted at Medlow, and asked my way. shade and style of delicate satin furniture, with The Inn was quite close, it seemed; and I chairs and tables for small cosy parties of friends,

7 and it had a million- there may have been less, but Heather Mollenhaur 8.6.1929 - 12.12.201 O I really think not much less - pictures, hung all over the walls - good pictures, too, with a touch of the Heather joined the Blue Mountains Historical weird and strange about them - lovely sunsets on Society at the end of November 1988, having the Nile, moonlit rivers, bush fires, beautiful Greek completed a TAFE Guides Course led by historian maidens playing in marble halls, scenes from Jim Smith. She immediately became involved in Shakespeare, picturing stormy seas and sinking the Society, one of the first group of members in ships, peaceful meadows and quiet homes. There 1990 to attend the Tuesday night monthly Research were white marble statues and busts all down the Group Talks organised by the then Research Officer, great corridor - beautiful things, all of them. And Gwen Silvey. Heather was also a keen member of there were scores and scores of seductive soft the monthly Heritage Walks in local areas which chairs and lounges, where one might lie and loaf commenced at this time and continued to attend and look. And, midway, there was a noble billiard­ walks and excursions until just before her death. room , with billiard-tables like a marker's dream Heather was the perfect volunteer, joining the of heaven. And next to it one came unexpectedly Research Group in the organization of the Research - everything was unexpected - upon an immense Room, opened in 1994, and the indexing and Casino, domed like a mosque and furnished like a filing of documents. She continued with this work, palace, with an exquisite little stage, and dancing training various volunteers during the following floor that might tempt and anchorite (by the way, years. She even came to the Society to do some what were anchorites, and did they have anchors, indexing the morning of the day she went into and why?) to get up and cake-walk. It was for all hospital. Her regular appearance every Tuesday the world like something in the Arabian Nights. was only interrupted during school holidays, when'---­ At the end of all things, you found that you had she held her 'Grandma's Camp' for her very much only just begun. Beyond one corridor there was a loved grandchildren, one of her favourite excursions Pump Room, where people had afternoon tea, and with them was to see the fireflies near the Lawson drank hot and cold water for their indigestion and waterfalls. These many years of quiet assistance rheumatisms; and beyond that, a dining-room that were recognised by the granting of Life Membership appeared to cover some acres, with stained-glass to Heather in 2005. She also received a Certificate windows, and a magic optical delusion fireplace of Appreciation for her 'valuable contribution to the that persuaded you into believing that it had a huge Blue Mountains Community' in Seniors Week, 2006. glass window looking out over half a county, just When it was decided that the Society should above the mantelpiece, and no chimney at all. appoint a Welfare Officer, Heather was the obvious There was an enormous cookery department choice, having the ability to use just the right close at hand, whence issued, three times a day, words to send to an ill member or to the bereaved meals that would satisfy the clubbiest and crankiest family of one of our members. She also had the of Piccadilly clubmen. And there were doctors' ability to find out from any new member of the consulting-rooms and medical laboratories, and Research Room the date of their birthday and, more a whole range of electrical and steam-heating importantly, their age. A week before a birthday ~ chambers, and - but of all this, "more anon." I had was due, a birthday card would be circulated for a '--.../ still my bed-chamber to choose. message from each volunteer, to be presented on the important day. However her own message also Unabridged, pp. 1-10, from copy of original book owned managed to congratulate the recipient on reaching by Paddy Hennessy, Hartley Vale. the number of years achieved! The original book may have been written by Heather was a historian. Her knowledge of John Smythe, c.190811910. the people and buildings of Lawson and the Blue Mountains and her collection of documents, photographs etc. of Lawson was freely given at Mary Reynolds OAM all times to heritage architects and consultants, the RTA and Blue Mountains City Council. She In the recent Australia Day Awards Mary Reynolds published two books on Lawson, A Historical Tour of Mt Wilson has received a OAM medal 'for of Lawson and Shops and Shopkeepers of Lawson services to the community'. We congratulate her 1883 to 2009 and led many groups on her historical wholeheartedly for the years she has dedicated walks, highlighting the houses and history of her to the service of the community, especially the beloved village. She was the expert who could establishment of the Turkish Bath Museum in 1997 provide an instant answer to any query received and as a foundation co-ordinator of the Mt Wilson/ from the public, and will be sorely missed by the Mt Irvine Historical Society in which she continues Blue Mountains Historical Society. to serve. Joan Smith

8 Books available from the Blue Mountains Historical Society's Book Shop, as at January 2011

Back from the Brink Andy Macqueen 28.95 Blackheath, Today from Yesterday Peter Rickwood 65.00 BM Golden Jubilee History of Society Alan Tierney 3.00 Blue Mountains Nat Geography Soc. 25.00 Blue Mountains & the Burragorang Valley Jim Barratt 14.50 Centenial Glen Keith Painter 6.00 Christmas Swamp - History of Lawson S.J.Bentley 10.00 Cockatoo Island Margaret Chambers 10.00 Convict Stockades Ollie Leckbandt 32.00 Coorah- The Life of Pitt House Joan Edwards 4.00 Cox's River Jim Barratt 14.50 Convict Stockades (coloured plates) Ollie Leckbandt 30.00 The Settlers Guide to Medicine Dr Bell (Ed Lois Sabine) 30.00 Eccleston du Faur Joan Webb 14.00 Federal Pass Keith Painter 6.00 First Bushwalker Jim Barratt 14.50 Giant Stairway Keith Painter 6.00 Healing Mountains The (TB sanatoria in the BM) Gwen Silvey 15.00 History of the Town of Lawson Heather Mollenhauer 10.00 1olan Caves Basil Ralston 27.00 Yoseph Foveaux Anne-Maree Whittaker 25.00 Kanangra Walls Jim Barratt 14.50 Katoomba Coal Mine JR Bennett 5.00 Kills of Kedumba The Jim Barratt 14.50 Jim Barratt 14.50 Lawson Walks Keith Painter 6.00 Layers of Time - BM Geology Pickett & Adler 10.00 Life in the Burragorang Jim Barratt 14.50 Making Music William Gallaher 25.00 Mary Reiby Nance Irvine 22.00 McLaughlins of Tarella The Susan Warmbath 10.00 Megalong Valley Mary Shaw 25.00 More Katoomba Walks Keith Painter 6.00 Narrow Neck & the Birth of Katoomba Jim Barratt 14.50 Passes of Narrowneck Brian Fox 25.00 Pens Over the Garden Fence BM Writers 12.00 Pictorial Memories - BMs John Low 23.00 · 1ce Names of the BM & Burragorang Valley Jim Barratt 14.50 H ace Called Weatherboard A Mindah Duvollet 9.00 Prince Harry Cliff Walk Keith Painter 6.00 Shoulders of Giants Brian Craven 25.00 Prince of Whips Jim Smith 9.50 Sipping the Nectar (Bird notes) Graham Alcorn 18.00 Shack Country & Old Burragorang Jim Barratt 14.50 Shoulders of Giants (History of Tuberculosis) Brian Craven 25.00 Somewhat Perilous Andy Macqueen 32.00 Story of Fred Eden The Jim Barratt 14.50 Sydney by Ferry & Foot John Gunter 16.50 Wild Ephemera -Poems of the Blue Mountains John Low 10.00 Yerranderie Jim Barratt 14.50 Above the Creek Bed (CD Songs on local history) Jim Low 25.00

Mail ordered books incur post and packing charges

BMHS Volunteers are needed now for two vacancies to Management Committee, plus Honorary Secretary, Tarella Curator, Walks and Talks Co-ordinator and Publicity Officer. Please give these appointments your consideration before the AGM on 2nd April 2011. Application forms are available from the Research Room.

9 BLUE MOUNTAINS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Inc.

The Society's objective is to promote community interest in history in general and in the Blue Mountains in particular. Meetings are held at the Society's Hobby's Reach premises on the first Saturday of each month except January and December, when a Christmas Party is held. At meetings general business is followed by a talk from an invited speaker or Society member on a topic of historical interest. An excursion to a place of historical interest is held monthly. Hobby's Reach, with Research Officer and Librarian available, is open on Tuesdays from 10 am to 2 pm and on Fridays from 10 am to 12 noon. All are welcome.

Patron: The Mayor, Blue Mountains City Council

Management Committee Co-ordinators

President/Editor Graham Warmbath 4757 3402 Catering Valerie Craven 4757 3433 Vice-Pres/ Mem Sec Judith Barham 4757 3442 Diane Jones 4782 3961 Hon Secretary/Research Joan Smith 4757 4009 Jenny Wigan 4757 3489 Hon Treasurer Anthea Mitchell 4757 3824 General Main. David Bradley 4758 6151 Member/Garden Maintain. Bob King 4787 8678 Welfare Ruth Eslake 4782'6534 Member/Walks & Talks John Low 4782 3751 Member Elton Menday 4754 2408 Member/Curator/Book Shop Susan Warmbath 4757 3402

Return Address: Blue Mountains Historical Society PO Box 17 WENTWORTH FALLS NSW 2782