HERITAGE NEWSLETTER OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANISATIONS JULY - AUGUST 2010 ISSUE No. 10 LIEUT. WILLIAM DAWES ...... First recorded white man on the Blue Mountains by Lindsay Paish, Springwood Historians In December 1789, Governor Phillip Keeping on, he crossed a series of a long unscaleable cliff, which charged Lieutenant William Dawes creeks draining to the south side of forced a deviation around the head with the task of reaching the Valley Heights, the ridge to the of the ridge. Back to the ridge top, western mountains. south of Springwood at Farm Road, located north of Linden, they the next ridge south of Bee Farm returned to their “line of march.” This was the first recorded Road near the rifle range, into exploration of the area, followed by Sassafras Gully, then across the An extensive view of the scene a series of adventurers like Tench, Main Ridge close to Faulconbridge ahead appeared even rougher than Hacking, Bass, Paterson, Wilson, Station. that they had already negotiated. Barrallier and Caley. Immediately west was the deep By now “the line of march” was half Wentworth Creek, the roughest All those explorations failed to cross way through their total route. The gully on the mountains and further the mountains, but their knowledge country was rougher on the west ahead, the chasm of the Grose was the real reason that Blaxland, side of Faulconbridge. Most of the River. Lawson and Wentworth succeeded. creeks and gullies they had crossed were precipitous with average Dawes and his party were near There is no known journal of grades being close to 1 in 2. exhaustion and short of provisions, Lieutenant Dawes journey, the only and considering the country they record was a map dated 1791, Further on, they encountered a had already travelled, the prospect signed by Dawes. series of deeper gullies – including of a further, rougher portage, forced Linden and Woodford Creeks – the party homeward. There is no doubt that Dawes, with about 900ft [275 m] deep. The his superior skill at “compass and western flank of Woodford Creek is Continued page 10 pace” could produce a traverse of his journeys with comparative accuracy.
The actual line of Dawes’ march, as per his inscribed map, can be located on the modern ordnance maps prepared by the Army Survey Corps.
The details of the creeks on Dawes’ traverse favourably compare with the ordnance sheets.
To the “line of march.” The first day he headed due west from Emu Ford to the crest of the first ridge, in the vicinity of Mount Riverview, and from here he had a direct view of Round Hill.
Dawes moved his “line of march” to a straight traverse and made a bee Pictured is former Forestry Department cartographer, Lindsay Paish line for Round Hill crossing the now now 85 years of age, looking at the map he drew in 1959 from overlays line of the highway just near the of Dawes 1789 traverses on to Australian Army Survey Corps maps Sydney side of Warrimoo. which lend credibility to the claim Dawes was the first white man on the Blue Mountains. Photograph by John Leary, OAM May 2010
HERITAGE 1 July- August 2010 From the president’s pen...... The magnificent Mitchell Library a researcher’s dream
The front page piece by Lindsay The stimulus for this was David and a talent for book-collecting, Paish in this edition of HERITAGE Scott Mitchell’s offer of his immense approached genius. like so many historical and and unrivalled collection of heritage based stories is in part Australiana to the people of New After 1895 he was aided and written as a result of research in South Wales. One condition of his encouraged by HCL Anderson, Sydney’s magnificent Mitchell offer was that a new building be the principal librarian, who had Library which earlier this year erected to house the collection as a seen Mitchell as the chief rival of celebrated its centenary. separate library. the Public Library of New South Wales and set out to combine On following pages, John Low Mitchell, book collector and national forces. also writes about a Blue Mountains benefactor, became one of the first connection among the One undergraduates of the University of Apart from Mitchell, the library had Hundred treasures on display at Sydney (BA, 1856; MA 1859). In the best Australasian collection the Mitchell. December 1858 he was admitted to and had demonstrated a capacity the Bar but never practised though and will to develop it. Mitchell was It is all but impossible to write or he is said to have later declined aging and in poor health, with no read about Australia, the Pacific appointment as attorney-general. relations of like interests to his and the Antarctic without incurring own. debts of gratitude to the Mitchell. Mitchell had been reared in a cultivated household; never robust, In 1898 he offered to bequeath his Libraries are the most personal he preferred books and intellectual collection to the library trustees. public institutions. History never interests to business or politics. The offer was immediately forgives those who destroy them accepted and eventually his and it remembers those who are By 1866 he had won some repute conditions were met: the trustees book donors such as David Scott for scholarship in English literature were incorporated in 1899 and the Mitchell. and for the next 20 years he Mitchell wing of the new library collected mainly English literary building was begun in 1906. The State Library of New South works, including many fine editions Wales traces its origins to 1826, which in 1900 exceeded 10,000 Mitchell died in 1907 and with the opening of the Australian volumes. bequeathed to the library trustees Subscription Library. In 1869, the his entire collection with an New South Wales Government From about 1886, he turned almost endowment of £70,000. Despite took over responsibility for the solely to the record of Australia and his fine memory and erudition he Library and created the Sydney its surrounding region. wrote nothing and left as his one Free Public Library. In 1895 it was main memorial the Mitchell Library. renamed the Public Library of New Book-collecting, which had been an South Wales, and in 1975 it intellectual pastime in youth and a When opened in March 1910 it became the State Library of New scholarly vocation in maturity, had some 60,000 volumes and South Wales. became his all-absorbing purpose. much other material. It remains unrivalled in its field and is one of The Australian Subscription Perhaps it could be said, Mitchell the great national collections in Library soon outgrew its premises, was favoured: he had wealth, the world. and a new wing was built in the leisure and position, with useful mid-1880s. By the turn of the social connections yet was free John Leary, OAM century this too was outgrown, and from outside distractions. President, Blue Mountains plans were prepared for a Association of Cultural Heritage completely new ‘national’ library His scholarly knowledge of books, Organisations Inc. building. coupled with education, experience Pinchgut was little more than a desolate rocky Pinchgut Island (now Fort Denison) outcrop in Sydney Harbour. once boasted Sydney’s finest weight loss cure – if you could stomach a The history of the name Pinchgut is a week’s solitary confinement. little hazy. It was named Pinchgut by Governor John Hunter, It is both an old As early as 1788, convicts were put nautical term for the point where a onto Pinchgut for petty crimes such as stream channel narrows and a word for stealing food. Back then, the place being hungry.
HERITAGE 2 July- August 2010 Greens Party heritage policy to ensure Heritage Council’s independence At a meeting organized by Leary, OAM said many in the BMACHO in Springwood last month community especially those in the Ms Sylvia Hale, MLC (pictured) heritage sector would welcome the outlined the Greens Party policy on proposed policies. heritage which it will take to the next state election. Mr Leary said that it was farcical to believe that heritage could be The meeting was the third in a adequately protected with the series organized by BMACHO to powers which had been given to the learn of heritage policies of the Minister for Planning under Part 3A major political parties. of the Planning Act 2005.
The Greens will Professor Ian Jack president of the • Ensure the independence of RAHS who has had a long the NSW Heritage Council by association with the former Heritage guaranteeing its funding and Council also welcomed the making it directly accountable to the proposed policies. NSW Parliament in a similar fashion to the Ombudsman’s Office, rather than to a minister. • Reconstitute the Heritage SUPPORT FOR HERITAGE Council to ensure the appropriate representation of community and ADVISORY COMMITTEE professional organisations. New support has recently come BMACHO’s executive has been • Provide adequate resources to from a number of elected meeting with council’s senior staff. permit an increase in the rate of representatives including Blue assessment of items for inclusion Mountains City Council’s deputy The suggested objectives of a on the State Heritage Register. mayor Cr Janet May and Greens heritage advisory committee are: • Facilitate the extension of Crs Eleanor Gibbs and Howard a. To advise council in relation to Interim Heritage Protection Orders McCallum reviews of local heritage listings; to items not on the State Heritage b. To advise council about Register. Heritage advisory committees increasing the community’s • Remove economic have been established by many awareness of heritage matters; disadvantage as a reason to delist a NSW local government units and c. To advise council on heritage heritage item. are in fact widely used matters relating to development • Remove the right of a minister throughout Australia to allow applications before council; to unilaterally delist a heritage item. councillors and staff to avail d. To advise council about heritage • Require the Heritage Council to themselves of local and expert assistance, grant applications, approve any recommendation to de- knowledge on a wide range of review and recommendations; list any item on the State Heritage heritage and historical issues. e. To advise council on Register improvements to the care of, • Require local councils to notify Formed under Section 377 of the public access to and site the Heritage Council of any item Local Government Act 1993 information for existing historic that may be of State Heritage these committees usually sites, buildings etc. and how these significance and to seek the comprise one councillor and a improvements might be achieved; Heritage Council’s advice prior to number of community members, f. To advise council in relation to approving demolition or alteration to selected by council after long term planning of significant an item. newspaper advertisements heritage cemeteries. • Encourage and fund local calling for expression of interest There is no shortage of people in councils to revise and extend their from members of the community. this region who are eminently local heritage registers. qualified to serve on a local • Require any application to Those selected often include heritage advisory committee. demolish a heritage item to members of heritage or history demonstrate why alternatives such societies and people either They comprise long-term as adaptation of existing structures working in or retired from the enthusiastic and experienced are not feasible, and forbid the heritage sector including researchers of heritage and history demolition of any heritage item academics. or professionals and academics in without prior approval of the For some time BMACHO has the heritage sector including relevant authority. been seeking to have Blue several with local government experience. BMACHO is confident Thanking Ms Hale for her address Mountains City Council re- that they would be prepared to and for answering question from the establish a heritage advisory serve on such a committee. meeting, BMACHO president, John committee and for several years
HERITAGE 3 July- August 2010 ‘He fought six rounds with the horse police’ --- the shooting of Bold Jack Donahoe by John Low, Blue Mountains Historical Society Inc. In the current exhibition at the State Library of NSW, celebrating the centenary of the Mitchell Library, there are a number of items of interest to Blue Mountains historians among the One Hundred treasures on display.
The original journals of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth are featured as is a 1930s journal of bushwalker Myles Dunphy.
One item, however, that caught my attention, the relevance of which may not at first be evident, was a A lithograph portrait of the dead Jack Donahoe lithograph portrait of the dead cotton milling town of Neilston in the bushranger Jack Donahoe Levern Valley south of Glasgow. attributed to Thomas Mitchell. While nothing is known of his family Their uniform also reflected the or early life other than that he had While Donahoe died at Bringelly, military connection with ‘full dress’ worked as a groom, by the th his death has a slight but interesting resembling the 14 Light Dragoons, beginning of 1827 he had travelled connection with Wentworth Falls (or though their ‘bush uniform’ included south into England and had taken a cabbage-tree hat along with the The Weatherboard). th the king’s shilling, joining the 39 patrol jacket and trousers. (Dorsetshire) Regiment at Coventry. In 1902 the Warren Herald published a series of reminiscences They were armed with a sabre, His decision to become a soldier by Edward Readford whose father, carbine and horse pistols. By 1830 would take him even further from Thomas, had been the licensee of there were about 100 mounted his birthplace for, in June 1827, the the Weatherboard Inn during the policemen in the colony. 39th Regiment embarked as part of years 1833 to 1837. the convict guard on board the One of the most troublesome ‘Champion’ and arrived in Sydney a bushrangers operating at the time little over four months later. Muggleston joined the ‘horse police’ was a young Irish convict escapee Following a twelve month tour of who, following a conviction for duty in Norfolk Island, Muggleston highway robbery on the Sydney- joined the mounted police in March Windsor Road, had dramatically 1829. avoided the hangman and fled into to the bush. At the time, the innkeeper’s only The mounted police had been neighbours were a small troop of established by Governor Brisbane This was the “wild colonial boy, Jack mounted policemen housed in a in 1825 in response to a general Donahoe by name” whose ‘Police Military Barrack’ opposite. increase in bushranging activities, a depredations and continued state of affairs that continued to evasion of the authorities in the Readford makes particular mention worsen under his successor, Hawkesbury-Nepean and other of one of these, a quiet young Governor Darling. districts around Sydney were Scotsman named John Muggleston, notorious. who was stationed there “nearly the Its principal role was to combat this whole time my father kept the hotel” and to pursue escaped convicts In the repressive climate of and regularly frequented his father’s who contributed mightily to the Darling’s administration John establishment. membership of the bushranging Donahoe (sometimes spelt gangs. Donohoe) was rapidly becoming Fate had given Muggleston a something of a folk hero among the degree of notoriety among his In these early years the mounted ‘lower orders’ of society. fellows. police had a strong military character, its officers and men Born in Dublin ca. 1806, details of John Muggleston (also spelt being volunteers seconded from the Donahoe’s early life and family are Mugglestone, Muckelstone, regiments garrisoned in the colony as vague as those of his Scottish Muccleston, etc.) was born ca. 1804 and generally returning when these contemporary. in the Scottish agricultural and were transferred elsewhere. Continued page 5
HERITAGE 4 July- August 2010 The shooting of of bushranger, Jack Donahoe Continued from page 4 What followed was described in Muggleston who died January 1841 A couple of years younger than detail in the Sydney Gazette: aged about 40 years. This stone is Muggleston, he was sentenced to “Muggleston, who is reckoned one erected by the officers, non- transportation for life in 1823 after of the best shots, kept his eye commissioned officers and troopers being found guilty of “intent to steadily fixed on Donahoe, and of the Mounted Police Force”. commit felonry”, a rather vague when the latter peeped from behind charge that has been interpreted by his tree, shewing (sic) only his head REFERENCES [Anonymous] ‘Death of Donahoe’, some to refer to ‘political’ crimes. and part of his breast, the wary Sydney Gazette, September 4, 1830. soldier took aim, fired, and though a Gibbney, H.J. & Smith, Ann G. A As the child of a country exploited hundred yards distant, in less than Biographical Register 1788-1939: Notes economically and repressed a minute the vaunting hero was in from the Name Index of the Australian politically, he had good cause to eternity.” Dictionary of Biography, Volume 2, L-Z. dislike the English. Donohoe arrived Canberra: ADB, 1987. in Australia on board the ‘Ann and The ‘troublesome’ Jack Donahoe MacAlister, Charles. Old Pioneering Amelia’ in early 1825, not long was dead but his memory would Days in the Sunny South. Goulburn, before Brisbane’s departure and the fuel a legend and inspire numerous NSW: Chas. MacAlister Book advent of Governor Darling. popular ballads that circulated Publication Committee, 1907. throughout Australia and overseas Meredith, John. The Wild Colonial Boy: Bushranger Jack Donahoe, 1806-1830. In 1830 Muggleston’s commanding in places as diverse as Ireland, Ascot Vale, Victoria: Red Rooster Press, officer and fellow Scot, Lieutenant England, the USA, Canada, Nova 1982. Lachlan McAlister, devised a new Scotia and Newfoundland. Readford, Edward. ‘Reminiscences of strategy for his mounted police unit Early Days’, Warren Herald, 2 August, based at Goulburn. His nemesis, the young Scottish 1902. [Copy held in the files of the Blue soldier, on the other hand, slipped Mountains Historical Society] Instead of the usual reactionary quietly into obscurity. Ward, Russell. ‘Donohoe, John (Jack) pursuit from place to place, allowing (1806?-1830)’, Australian Dictionary of the villains greater options for Prior to his transfer to The Biography, Volume 1. Melbourne: MUP, escape, his troopers now conducted Weatherboard, there are references 1966. regular and systematic patrols of to Muggleston’s involvement in Information supplied by the Local Studies Librarian, Newcastle Region the known haunts of the Donahoe skirmishes with bushranging gangs Library [Letter dated 9 January 2003] gang. It was a good plan and on in the Oberon area and near the Wednesday, September 1, 1830, it Fish River (Jenolan) Caves in 1831. brought results. MOUNTAIN MURDERS He clearly preferred the life of a Glenbrook & District Historical As an early spring evening settled mounted trooper to that of a foot Society Inc. will conduct a walk on the Bringelly bush, Muggleston soldier and twice transferred to “The Mountain Murders – Lee and six other troopers unsaddled other regiments (the 4th in 1832 and Weller’s Grave” on Saturday, their horses and prepared to make the 80th in 1837) in order to remain August 28. camp. in Australia. For further details [email protected] In the dusk they spied, some By the end of the 1830s he was distance away, three men riding stationed at Newcastle and was slowly through the trees leading a probably involved in the pursuit of NATIONAL packhorse. the ‘Jew Boy’ Gang (led by Edward Davis, the only Jewish bushranger These were soon identified as on record) who were operating TRUST WALK Donahoe, William Webber and throughout the Hunter region The Blue Mountains Branch of John Walmsley. between 1839 and the end of 1840. National Trust is organising a walk on the lower Blue Mountains At the later inquest Muggleston John Muggleston died in Newcastle eastern escarpment for Saturday, described the situation: “The Hospital on January 13, 1841 at the July 24. bushrangers were in a hollow early age of 37 and was buried in surrounded by bush, by which the Christ Church Cathedral The walk will visit Elizabeth’s means they were prevented from Cemetery. I have not, however, Lookout, Knapsack Gully and observing our approach. been able to establish the cause of railway viaduct built in 1867, then his death. traverse the original Lapstone Zig- When Donahoe saw us he took his Zag, cross the portal of the hat off, and waved it three times, His colleagues in the mounted original Lapstone Hill railway threw it in the air, and bid us police erected a substantial tunnel, the subject of Arthur defiance ...” Both sides took cover headstone to his memory and, while Streeton’s painting ‘Fires on’. and the bushrangers, with a no longer marking the spot where reckless confidence borne of their his body lies, this still exists. Morning tea and lunch will be earlier successes, began taunting provided. the troopers with insults, On its face are inscribed the words: obscenities and shooting. “Sacred to the memory of John For further enquiries Rhona Leach 4757 2424.
HERITAGE 5 July- August 2010 Woodford’s memorial for those who for king and empire enlisted from this village In the aftermath of the Great War, communities across Australia built war memorials to perpetuate the memory of those who served their country and who lie buried in foreign soil or beneath the seas. Their memory must not be diminished by the passage of time.
Woodford like so many other towns was to see the creation of a Memorial Park in which was included a war memorial housed in a pavilion.
Often the memorials were built at the instigation of local residents who banded together in organisations such as progress, Trust, and a member of the 530A citizens and/or ratepayers A rock faced stone balustrade with Committee [of council] caring for the associations. bullneck brick capping spans between the piers. Woodford parks and reserves at the In his book Hazelbrook & Woodford time of his death. –A story of two Blue Mountains On the north side a terrazzo stair In 1921, the Woodford Group of the towns local historian Ken Goodlet, with stone spandrels provides Blue Mountains Sights Reserves records: In February 1917, ‘it was access to the shelter. was established, most of the early unanimously decided to form a local On a monument in the centre of the attention going into Woodford progress association, the object pavilion is a rockfaced sandstone Memorial Park and much of the cost being to formulate plans for the monument with tapered sides. being paid as a loan by Gustav enhancement of the district’. Marble plaques at the base Waterhouse 4. The committee included such local commemorate those who enlisted It was not until 1962 that Memorial identities as Gustavus Waterhouse from the village in World War 1. Park was transferred to Blue (president), Thomas Thomas, Granite plaques commemorate 3 Mountains Council. Aubrey Murphy and Herbert Dakin1. World War II . In recent times Woodford Memorial The local press saw this as marking In 1919 details of Woodford Park has been difficult to access ‘an epoch in the history of this Memorial Park appeared in the from the Great Western Highway or charming town’2. Government Gazette and the Woodford War Memorial and the footbridge over the rail line. The war memorial is described in pavilion was designed and However, there is expected to be the State Heritage Inventory as a constructed in 1920 by local some enhancement of the park and square pavilion with an intersecting stonemason and master builder memorial which will not be affected gable roof. Thomas Thomas. The memorial and by construction work to upgrade pavilion was built on a sandstone the Great Western Highway. outcrop on the south east portion of the park between the train line and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT the highway. The editor of BMACHO’s newsletter HERITAGE is grateful to Ken Goodlet Thomas Owen Thomas had built his for permission to use information from his book, Hazelbrook & Woodford. A home in Woodford in 1909 soon story of two Blue Mountains towns. after he emigrated from Wales. Compilation and photographs by John Leary, OAM. At the time of his death in 1973 his contribution to the Blue Mountains ENDNOTES community was considered to be 1 Goodlet, K., Hazelbrook & Woodford. A one of the most important in the story of two Blue Mountains towns. development of this district. 2 Blue Mountains Echo. February 2, 1917, August 10, 1917, January 4, He served as an alderman on Blue 1918. 3 Mountains Shire Council, was a NSW Heritage Branch Heritage long term president of Woodford Databases,www.heritage.nsw.gov.au accessed June 10 2010. Progress Association, a chairman of 4 Goodlet, K., Hazelbrook & Woodford. A Woodford Sights and Reserves story of two Blue Mountains towns.
HERITAGE 6 July- August 2010 ELIZABETH MACQUARIE: ‘so young a campaigner’ by Jan Barkley Jack The town was situated west of estate which Macquarie felt ‘showed As a twenty-six year old, Miss Fishnish where more than twenty the good taste of this young lady for Elizabeth Henrietta Campbell of years before he had supervised the ornamental improvements of this 7 Airds, had met Lachlan Macquarie building of a stone quay for his kind’ - a skill Elizabeth extended in 2 in their native Scotland in 1804. uncle. her well-debated contribution to the design and aesthetics of some Two years later, Elizabeth and her Elizabeth’s first child, a daughter, colonial buildings and surrounds.8 3 officer exchanged locks of hair as died in infancy in December 1808. tokens of their joint affection before Elizabeth was to have six An important but less discussed Macquarie returned to his military miscarriages before their only child essence of Elizabeth is how the duties in India. who lived, Lachlan jr, was born a ruggedness of the landscape of her little over five years later in Sydney. youth allowed her to embrace travel The youngest daughter of in the colony. Macquarie’s second cousin, Though a sickly child he lived until Elizabeth had grown up on her 1845. Both children are buried in She was the first wife of a New father’s estate in Appin, Scotland the large family vault at Gruline, as South Wales governor to brave the and attended school near London. were Lachlan in 1824 and Elizabeth colonial frontiers so extensively. on her death in 1835. Elizabeth seems to have been a She was prepared to ride happily for particularly capable, friendly and After their return from Australia in long periods, sometimes up to good-looking young woman who 1822, for much of the time Elizabeth seven hours on horseback in the retained a sprightliness and lived in the house they had bush with leeches attacking her humour, even in trying situations. prepared on the Gruline estate ankles, and she felt at home beside the tranquil Loch Ba.4 sleeping in a tent. 9 Her sensibility and sensibleness attracted Lachlan to his second The Macquarie vault [pictured at marriage. The pair wed in right] is today under the care of the November 1807 in Devonshire, as National Trust of Australia (NSW) in 5 Macquarie took command of the tribute to the couple. 73rd Regiment.1 It was Elizabeth’s blending of a Late in 1808, whilst the Regiment genteel upbringing with a love of was at Perth, the Macquaries began beauty and nature that made her re-organising the Gruline estate popular and happy in the colony of New South Wales where she was Macquarie had bought on the island The Macquarie mausoleum in first lady from 1810.6 of Mull. It was on the estate, that Scotland maintained by the Macquarie planned his first model National Trust of Australia (NSW) township at Salen, to include At Airds, Scotland, before her marriage, she had planned and tradesmen tenants (as with his From the frontier Hawkesbury to founding of Liverpool, New South directed construction of a new walkway in the grounds of the Van Diemen’s Land and Wales). Newcastle,10 Elizabeth took an acute interest in the scenery and the Indigenous peoples.
When the governor’s forays became too energetic, Elizabeth could be found, with a soldier escort, exploring a closer hill and delighting in ‘the beautiful prospect she had from the top’.11
On one official excursion in 1815, as the only woman in a large party of men, Elizabeth accompanied Macquarie on his April-May journey across the Blue Mountains to the newly discovered plains where Remains of the quay whose construction Lachlan Macquarie Bathurst was to be founded. supervised at Fishnish on Mull, Scotland, c. 1786. Source: taken by Continued page 8 Jan Barkley Jack, 1997
HERITAGE 7 July- August 2010 Mrs Macquarie on horse-back bush excursions Continued from page 7 communication from Meg Douglas of THE AUTHOR. Jan Barkley Jack is a Riding in the carriage gave way to Bridges Cottage Aros, Mull to Jan historian, educated at the University of horseback on just the second day Barkley Jack and Ian Jack, 27 June New England, with a BA (Hons.) from until the Nepean was forded, and 1997; field trip to Gruline-Salen-Fishnish the University of Western Sydney. then resumed on and off. on Mull by Jan Barkley Jack and Ian Jack, 1997. She co-authored the Hawkesbury City 3 Ritchie,p. 91. Council’s Bicentennial book and has Accommodation that night at 4 Ritchie, pp. 211-213, 221, 218-219; written many articles. Springwood, as for the next 22 Ellis, p. 251; Personal communication nights, was in tents, the couple from Meg Douglas of Bridges Cottage She has promoted history through being sometimes relaxing with a game of Aros, Mull to Jan Barkley Jack and Ian on Hawkesbury Historical Society, cards after dinner. Jack, 27 June 1997. National Trust and Hawkesbury City 5 www.nationaltrust.com.au/properties/ Council heritage and celebration The pass that William Cox had macquarie/default.asp committees, and as honorary curator of constructed down Mount York 6 Ellis, p. 134. Hawkesbury Museum for over twenty stunned the Macquaries, the road 7 Ellis, p. 131. years. 8 being so steep that Elizabeth and J. Broadbent, The Australian Colonial Lachlan had to walk the whole way House, Hordern House in association Jan has presented Community Link with Historic Houses Trust of NSW, courses for the University of Western down on foot, whilst three hours of Sydney, 1997, pp.124,145; J. Broadbent Sydney and was a recipient of a struggle elapsed before the and Joy Hughes(eds.), The Age of Commonwealth Centenary Medal in carriages and baggage came down Macquarie , Melbourne University Press 2003 for ‘service to the community safely. in association with Historic Houses Trust through the history and heritage of the of New South Wales, Carlton, 1992, pp. Hawkesbury’. A special halt was called by 11, 168. Elizabeth elsewhere, so she could 9 Macquarie, pp. 2, 5-16, 25, 27. In 2005 she was an advisor to SBS sketch ‘Mount Evans’ [Evans 10 Macquarie, pp. 23-43, 45-79, 86-87. Television on historical content in their Crown].12 11 Macquarie, pp. 15, 82, 152. Living History series The Colony. Her 12 Macquarie, pp. 90-110. latest book, Hawkesbury Settlement 13 Lachlan was proud of Elizabeth’s Macquarie, p. 98. Revealed was published in 2009. 14 Macquarie, p.7 fortitude and pleased with her companionship: . Governor Macquarie exhibition Mrs M. I am happy to say, has bore [sic] the fatiguing journey One of Governor Lachlan institutions, and his willingness to over the Blue Mountains to Macquarie’s most enduring legacies spend public money on [Bathurst Plains]… wonderfully was the setting out of five towns on infrastructure.” well indeed …13 the Hawkesbury River. On show throughout An earlier comment, written in the They were named Richmond, 2010 at the award- wilds of the Cowpastures, summed Windsor, Wilberforce, Pitt Town and winning museum in up Macquarie’s affection and Castlereagh, and, according to Windsor, itself Elizabeth’s varied talents succinctly. Hawkesbury Regional Museum located on a town While needing fires and guards to director, Kath von Witt, they allotment granted encircle their camp site from fear of guaranteed the survival of the by Macquarie to the wild cattle, her husband could colony of New South Wales. John Howe in 1811, note of Elizabeth: is a display about “Attempts to farm at Sydney and Macquarie’s achievements. we sat down eight at table to a Parramatta had not produced most comfortable dinner; Mrs. M. enough food to support the It includes information about the tho’ so young a campaigner population, and although the time he spent in the area, and the having provided every requisite to Hawkesbury had the rich alluvial thinking that went into the siting and make our tour easy, pleasant and soil needed to grow crops and raise naming of the towns. happy…14 livestock, regular flooding had swept much of it away,” says Kath. Hawkesbury Regional Museum is at ENDNOTES 8 Baker Street Windsor. Open daily 1 M.H. Ellis, Lachlan Macquarie , Angus “With his five towns, Macquarie 10am - 4pm except Tuesdays (pre- and Robertson, Sydney, 1978, pp. 121, changed all that — by situating 124-131, 133, 142-143. towns above flood level, grain and booked groups only) Selected 2 Ellis, pp. 123, 143; J.Ritchie, livestock could be protected from public holidays 10am - 4pm. Closed Macquarie: a Biography, Melbourne flooding and Sydney’s food supply Christmas Day, Boxing Day and University Press, Carlton, 1986, pp. 20- was assured. Good Friday. 21, 91; Lachlan Macquarie, Journals of His Tours in New South Wales and Van “At the same time, Macquarie For further information Diemen’s Land 1810-1822, Library of created settlements that, 200 years Phone 4560 4654 museum@ Australian History in association with the later, continue to reflect his town hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au Library Council of New South Wales, www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au Sydney, 1979, pp. 3, 113; Sydney planning ability, his belief in the Gazette 22 December, 1810; Personal civilising influence of British
HERITAGE 8 July- August 2010 THE OLD COMMUNITY HALL - THE HEART OF THE LAWSON TOWNSHIP by Nance Cooper, Mid Mountains Historical Society Inc. Although the place that was to become the modern Lawson had appeared under its first name of Christmas Swamp on John Oxley’s 1817 survey, it was not until 1867 and the arrival of a single-track railway line that the township had its real beginnings.
Up to this time its major function had been to serve the needs of the steadily increasing movement of people and trade both ways across the mountains. The Blue Mountain Inn and an official stock resting area (now Douglass Square) together with a good water supply had made Blue Mountain as it came to be known a major stopping place.
After 1867 a settled community began to appear. The name Lawson A small library encouraged more The new Lawson Mechanics appeared in 1879 as part of a members, so a move was made Institute building was officially government clean-up of place across the railway line to the Coffee opened in December 1903. names. Palace (later Stratford School of which only the tower still remains) in The needs of current highway The Blue Mountain Inn was moved San Jose Avenue. widening have had the effect of from its original site on what is now restoring the old community hall to the public school playground finally The purchase of a small billiard its original appearance as created ending up where the Blue table against much opposition by the Lawson community. Mountains Hotel now stands and a encouraged younger members so a flourishing small shopping centre permanent home was sought by the The portico that provided a covered grew up to serve the needs of both Progress Association. front entry to the building was not to the permanent residents and the appear until at least 30 years after increasing numbers of holiday In 1899 the state government came the original building was completed. makers. into the picture and set aside Lot 17 Section 1 of the Village of Lawson A 1905 photograph shows a set of By World War I, Lawson was one of for a mechanics institute and the steps from the footpath to the the major holiday resorts of the Blue society with library and billiard table doorway that still faces the highway. Mountains. By the end of the 19th moved back across the railway line Exactly when the portico was added century when the story of Lawson’s to a home in a temporary wooden is a matter of question but Old Community Hall begins many building. photographic evidence shows the forces were having an impact even hall without portico up to the time of on a quiet mountain township. A more substantial masonry World War II. building was erected on the site in The development of the Mechanics 1903 at the cost of £400 paid for by In all probability its appearance Institute movement as a social and community subscription. coincided with the use of the educational force was under way building on a regular basis as a throughout NSW and within the About 40,000 bricks from the old cinema up to the advent of Lawson community new needs were Lawson railway station were used television. being felt. as well as some from Mount Victoria station, all becoming available as The new building was put to The result was at first a small the result of the upgrading of the immediate use. By 1905 the library, venture called the Lawson Literary railway line and the need for new now a circulating library, had and Debating Society that was set stations. reached 1000 volumes and up in 1896 with eight members and membership continued to grow. A no money. Once again the community was permanent caretaker was needed directly involved in providing the and the library and billiard room It met in what had been the second transport for such a major were open all day in the holiday Blue Mountain Inn (on the present movement of building material. season. school playground). Continued page 10
HERITAGE 9 July- August 2010 Lawson Mechanics Institute a venue for university lectures in 1906 Continued from page 9 It became a venue for young men and women for Christian conferences with up to 200 in attendance and was also used in 1906 as the site of university lectures for students from NSW and Victoria.
It provided a venue for the new Blue Mountains Shire Council that took over the building temporarily in 1907 before relocating to San Jose Avenue, first to Avon on the corner of Park Street, then into its permanent home in what is now the library building where it stayed until 1947.
A major change occurred in 1911 when the Lawson Mechanics Institute was renamed the Lawson Christmas party given by RSL c. 1936 held in Lawson Mechanics Literary Institute reflecting a Institute Hall. Photograph by A Manning of Katoomba changing attitude to the building and its use. Institute/Community Hall . The Mid Mountains Historical Society Oral history project on behalf of BMCC was set up in 2000 at a community In 1909 its move to becoming March-June 2005. meeting to give a voice to the much Lawson’s entertainment centre Staas, Robert - Lawson Mechanics neglected heritage and history of this Institute Hall Heritage Assessment accelerated. The stage was forgotten part of the Blue Mountains. 2004. Prepared for Noel Bell Ridley enlarged and wings were added. Smith & Partners Architects Pty Ltd. Preservation, recording and publicising Moving pictures were first exhibited The Nepean Times. Newspaper 1882- of material relating to the area is a in the hall by a travelling show and 1962. (References throughout relevant paramount object which is reflected in skating appeared as a hall activity period) the Society’s website and various in 1912. published documents
The connection of electricity in 1931 increased its availability for a wide Lt William Dawes named Mt Twiss range of social activities. There are List of Papers newspaper reports of dances, Complete account of settlement at Port bazaars, lectures, school prize- Continued from Jackson in New South Wales – 1793 by Watkin Tench. giving functions and billiard page 1 New South Wales – Historical Records, competitions and until the early vol. 1, pt. 2. 1960s it was the local cinema. Mount Twiss, named after an officer Historical Journal of Admiral John Hunter, p. 151. of the Royal Engineers, and Dawes In 1991 the building was renamed Historical Records of Australia, Series 1, the Mid Mountains Youth Centre but Ridge are enshrined on the vol. 1. was vacated in 2004 for its future to Register of the Geographic Names History of New South Wales, G.B. be determined. Board. Barton, vol. 1. Account of the English Colony of NSW, While at one stage demolition There have been numerous David Collins. seemed inevitable to meet the attempts to pinpoint their exact Guide book to the excursions to the needs of highway widening, a location but there is no backing in Blue Mountains and Lithgow, 1923. Pacific Science Congress – realignment of the new line of any journals so their position will slip into the realm of mythology. Explorations by H.R. Cambage, F.L.S. highway coupled with the removal First crossing of the Blue Mountains, F. of the portico has made the Walker, Royal Australian Historical BIBLIOGRAPHY retention of the building possible. Society Journal, vol. 25, p. 475-519. The notes and extracts used in this Macquarie Historical Society, Notes on article obtained from journals and the Exploration of the Lower Blue REFERENCES volumes contained in the Mitchell Mountains. H.Paish. Eco Design - Studio Lawson Mechanics Library and Public Library of NSW, while Institute . the journey mentioned was plotted on a Report for inclusion in BMMC Business standard Ordnance Map of Katoomba Paper 29 January 2008. and Windsor. Innes, Paul - Lawson Mechanics
HERITAGE 10 July- August 2010 STRANGE DOINGS AT SPRINGWOOD By Shirley Evans For more than 400 years, since the first ever newspaper, the Relation Nepean Times, February 1, 1890 aller Fürnemmen und gedenckwürdigen Historien was printed in “Petty Thieving. – Petty thieving in Strassburg, Germany by Johnann Carolus in 1605; newspaper reporting and around Springwood seems to has undergone many changes in literary styles. be the popular amusement – mean From the early 18th century up until recent times it was not uncommon for despicable appropriation of other provincial and even some metropolitan newspapers to supplement people’s goods – one of our crafted writings of journalists with contributions from correspondents or hardworking neighbours has to pick as they were sometimes called ‘stringers’ who provided news from his ripening fruit every morning outlying areas. before he goes to work; if not it is sure to go during his absence – The writings of these correspondents varied from the bland to the another one left a few tools where beguiling, the storyline sometimes quaint, sometimes questionable. The he had been working some little authors were sometimes humble, sometimes hostile while some tried distance from his house, the next homespun humour to get their story read. Unquestionably for future day they were missing – and on researchers and historians these correspondents have left a first-hand Tuesday we met our road account sometimes complete with hyperbole of lifestyles of yesteryear. maintenance man plodding towards Springwood with a very doleful The Nepean Times seems to have employed a ‘stringer’ in the then countenance, his road repairing outlying township of Springwood. Springwood Historian, Shirley Evans in tools having been left between two her ongoing research of old newspapers has contributed this interesting days – we believe some people article. It is well worth the space given to it in this edition of HERITAGE. would steal a dog-leg fence if they The editor. could get it on their shoulders – O Tempore ! O Moses! “ Nepean Times, May 10, 1890 unknown “gentry” in the district of “The operations of our Springwood Springwood. Truly, we are in bad Nepean Times, May 3, 1890 thieves are extending and taking a case. No one when he retires for “More petty thieving and wanton higher tone. A few days back they the night can say he will have a mischief in the back blocks, one took advantage of Mrs Hoare’s peaceful time of it. He may poor fellow loses five of his best absence and forced an entrance examine under his bed with his hens, and another has his wire into her house1, but they were rushlight to see if anyone is there, fence cut in various places and evidently new at this branch of the and he may perchance keep his some of the wire stolen – this is trade for they decamped without revolver loaded too under his pillow; beyond a joke. Another had a few taking anything of much value2. but for all those precautions he may (a case or so) late apples on the Their entrance was effected very find the next morning that his fowls tree one night – the next morning clumsily as they had roughly bored have been stolen, or his beehives they had disappeared . We shall holes in the front door and burst a disappeared – the very wires of his have to interview the war office and panel in sufficiently wide to get their fence may have been cut and taken have a detachment of mounted hands in and undo the fastenings of away, or worse still his house may infantry sent up here. They could the door. This is certainly an be broken into and many of his make a dear little camp on peach upward tendency in the style of theft favourite articles gone. tree flat, and it would be such fun from robbing orchards, making a If he has goods consigned to him by for the girls. We are sure they raid amongst the hen roosts, rail and leaves them or his luggage would be just as useful in the stealing and cutting wire fences to on the Springwood platform, part or country (even more so) than barefaced robbery. We shall next the whole may disappear in the displaying their roosters’ feathers in hear of them sticking up our local twinkling of an eye without his the neighbourhood of Sydney, and if bank or stopping the mail train. We authority. These are not fanciful our liberal government would supply are as far too go-ahead in villainy cases. These things have them with a little ammunition, we as we are slow in other natures.” happened and that lately. Some no might get rid of our flying foxes less than last week. You may say without trying to blow them up with Nepean Times, June 28, 1890 the remedy lies in having one dynamite. Lor! what a scare the “I daresay you have heard of the policeman stationed here, whose wallabies would get.” nefarious proceedings of certain district extends from about Blaxland right away to Lawson and beyond. Well he is no doubt a very worthy constable, but so far has been unable to afford us any relief. He cannot even find one offender, and I fear it is hopeless to expect that he will be able to unless ably assisted by the Inspector General of Police’s instructions. A pair of antique silver cruets, probably not unlike the set stolen from Miss Todd’s Springwood home in 1890. Photograph courtesy of John Continued page 12 Leary, OAM
HERITAGE 11 July- August 2010 From Springwood burglar to Peak Hill murderer Continued from page 11 and steal from a hard working tiller of a man named Charles Duncker in It is plain to me that we want more of the soil seems the very poorest the Peak Hill district. Opinions police here if only as a temporary kind of employment. began to be expressed here that he expedient, then there may be some might have been guilty of some of hope of being able to keep one’s We would just as soon work for our the crimes in this district. Then did goods intact. If no help is afforded, living and take our natural rest at our constable arise to the dignity of and more burglaries and thefts night.” his profession. Without further ado occur it will have but one ending – he considered it advisable to make somebody will be made a target of; Nepean Times, August 2,1890 a little search for himself4 in the perhaps the wrong man which “No more robberies. – Since the house and grounds of Mr Larsen, would be a lamentable result. stirring events of the last week have and was well rewarded for his Revolvers are to be brought into transpired, our village has returned trouble by finding a ‘plant’. A requisition by several of our folk to its usual placid serenity. We waterhole in the grounds was who are determined to use them too carefully take in all our washed ‘fished’ with the result that two tin if occasion demand it. Perhaps our clothes at night, lock the back gate trunks and part of a leather Progress Committee will make a with a six inch nail, and shove the portmanteau were found, minus the move in the desired direction, for at cruet stand as far up the chimney contents, the said packages being present “our” policeman’s lot is not as possible. Having made these those which were mysteriously a happy one.” preparations, we chain the dog up conveyed away from the station to the grind-stone, and feel easy for here in June last. Heaps of rubbish Nepean Times, July 19, 1890 the night.” were overturned, resulting in the “Another petty robbery has occurred discovery of sundry articles, all of in the district. Miss Todd upon Nepean Times, August 16, 1890 which have been already identified returning home, near the railway “Mr Parker’s house on Single’s as stolen goods belonging to our bridge, after a short absence, found Ridge was entered the other day in villagers. In a cooking stove were it broken into and some blankets the absence of the owner, but found some lumps of white metal and a cruet stand abstracted. It is a nothing much was appropriated, but which had evidently been melted curious thing that in all the late there has been an increased down in the hope of it being silver, cases of robbery about Springwood, demand for shot, caps and powder but which it is probable is the thieves have appropriated a at Mr Rayner’s store. We pity the something baser. Much therefore cruet-stand. It does not seem to marauders if the vengeance is has been done towards clearing up matter much whether the stand is carried out that we have heard a great mystery. The circumstantial electro or silver it is all the same to threatened them. Life will be a evidence thus afforded points them, it is taken. We wonder burden and death a happy release strongly towards Hansen as the whether he, she or they are going to to them.” perpetrator of at least some of the set up a dining saloon, and are thus robberies. As at present he is commencing to appropriate the Nepean Times, October 11, 1890 suspected of the most serious crime necessary stock. It’s a risky game; “A sensation is now being of murder, we can afford to wait and and for our part we would rather buy experienced through some see how he gets on with that the articles on terms, and leave discoveries made this week by charge.” before payment was required – with Constable Illingworth. It will be the articles, if not too bulky. recollected that our little community was moved by feelings of alarm and Nepean Times, July 26, 1890 indignation some few months ago “Theft. – In the midst of life we are in consequence of the numerous in theft, at least we find it so this burglaries and robberies which took side of the Zig-Zag, and a place in our midst, some which consignment of tower muskets will ‘took the cake’ for barefacedness. have to be forwarded to the district. Well the secret is being unearthed Neither our cruet stands or our at last, much to our relief of mind, A tomahawk like this missing clothes lines are safe. In fact this and very much to those who were from Springwood crime scene. system of petty fogging unfortunately wrongly suspected of Photograph by John Leary, OAM appropriation of other people’s being participants in the Nepean Times, October 25, 1890 underlinen is the meanest type of proceedings. It is an old saying that “Since Hansen’s departure from our kleptomania. Last Saturday our two ‘murder will out’, and it looks as if it district we have been free from hotels had their clothes lines is going to prove in our case. It 3 robberies, for which much thanks. stripped in a most barefaced appears that Mr Larsen had in his The various goods found on Mr manner, and the night before Mr employ as caretaker and gardener a Larsen’s premises, after Hansen’s Humphries, a quiet hard working man named Lars Peter Hansen. arrest for the Peak Hill murder, man, had his home broken into and This individual enjoyed the which is believed to have been a quantity of wearing apparel and confidence of his employer for over stolen by Hansen, have all been papers taken. We can understand a year and left for ‘fresh fields and identified; some as belonging to a starving homeless wretch filching pastures new”’about a month since. some ladies at Miss Hooper’s from the super-abundance of a rich The next news we heard of Hansen school 5 at North Springwood, and man’s house, the temptation being was that he had been arrested for others as the property of Mrs Hoare. so great, but for thieves to break in supposed complicity in the murder
HERITAGE 12 July- August 2010 Murder of the little German on the Peak Hill road Continued from page 12 distance behind him and hurrying to heart had continued for some The only article missed by Mr catch up, was described as small minutes after the drop. Larsen is a tomahawk which that and slight and carrying a light swag. ENDNOTES gentleman states he could identify. The next morning some of these 1 Mrs Alice Hoare, a wealthy widow, It is hoped he may have an witnesses found the body of a man owned “Homedale”, a handsome villa, opportunity of seeing the tomahawk they believed was Duncker, lying on valued at £5,600.0.0 in 1884, located at which is said to have been in the remains of a fire with a knife the corner of Homedale and Railway Hansen’s possession about the nearby. Parade. Mrs Hoare was the sister of time of the murder.” John Frazer, benefactor of the Frazer Hansen was immediately suspected Memorial Church. Edward Deane Nepean Times, January 24, 1891 of murdering Duncker and they established the Blue Mountains “Murder will out! We note that finally found him working on the Grammar School in Homedale in 1918. The house was demolished in 1975 to Hansen has confessed to the docks at Port Kembla. make way for Wingara, an aged murder of the little German on the persons’ complex. Peak Hill Road. Who in our little He was known to be trying to earn 2 “A cruet stand is a small stand of community would have suspected enough money for his passage to metal, ceramic or glass which holds that so quiet a man as Hansen Germany. He was wearing a cap he condiments. Typically these include salt would have been guilty of the claimed to have bought from and pepper shakers, and often cruets or several robberies here, much less Duncker and admitted to the bottles of vinegar and olive oil.” the serious crime of murder.” possession of a revolver, also Wikipedia *********** bought from Duncker, which was in 3 Gustav Larsen and his nephew Axel Lars Peter Hansen, 30 years of age, his box in Market Street. In the box Bech were tobacconists in Balmain. was born in Denmark and arrived in they also found a number of pawn They had come from Denmark and their country house in Springwood was Australia in about 1889. After tickets for Duncker’s clothes. “Elsinore” situated on the Bathurst Road leaving Springwood (probably with on 4 acres of land with a frontage of some of his purloined pieces), he When arrested he said, “I no 550ft stretching eastward from the first went to Sydney where he stayed in murder the little German”. He was Public School (now the Springwood lodgings with a German man, taken to Dubbo for the inquest and, northern car park). Charles Duncker, aged 23, and a on arrival at the railway station, was 4 Constable Illingworth’s decision to Swedish man called Peter greeted with booing and hissing search the grounds of “Elsinore” was Petersen. from the crowd. Duncker’s body prompted by Axel Bech’s daughter was officially identified by the falling in the water hole in the grounds. In 1889 gold was discovered in Swede, Peter Petersen. In retrieving the child Bech found Peak Hill in Central New South portions of three empty trunks. He The knife was also identified as immediately reported this to the Wales between Parkes and Dubbo, Constable. belonging to Hansen. The inquest hundreds of people rushed there to 5 Miss Hooper’s school for girls was seek their fortune, and the area into the little German’s death “Hartlands” (now “Hartfields”) on the rapidly expanded into a thriving concluded that “he was murdered Hawkesbury Road, Springwood. town. by person or persons unknown”. 6 Dubbo Gaol 1871-1966 Eight men However, Hansen was immediately were hanged at Dubbo Gaol including Hansen and Duncker decided to try charged with the murder. Jacky Underwood who inspired Thomas their hand at prospecting but rapidly Keneally’s “Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith. reached the conclusion that it was At the trial he pleaded not guilty and not for them – as Hansen put it to said in his defence, “I no guilty. I kill REFERENCES The Argus (Melbourne, Victoria) – several people he met, “the him to save myself”. Mr Justice various issues. Stephen [son of Sir Alfred Stephen] diggings are all duffered out” and Australian Encyclopaedia, Grolier “there were too many people”. [This passed sentence of death on him. Society of Australia, 1963. was not exactly correct as gold Cook, Kerrin and Garvey, Daniel, “The mining is still continuing in Peak On June 2, 1891, Lars Peter Glint of Gold”. Hill] They decided to return to Hansen, attended by Archdeacon Nepean Times – various issues. Sydney although Hansen told one Wilson, was led to the gallows of N.S.W.Family History Document man he was going to catch a train Dubbo Gaol6 showing little anxiety Services www.ihr.com.au/secure/ to Springwood. or fear. When asked if he felt safe docimages/ inquests 1890/gg4115.gif he replied, “Yes”, shook hands and N.S.W. Registry of Births, Deaths and In September, 1890, Hansen and said, “Goodbye”. He was asked if Marriages. Sydney Morning Herald – various issues Duncker walked along the road from he had anything to say and he Wikipedia – Old Dubbo Gaol replied in his broken English, “I am Peak Hill to Dubbo where they www.olddubbogaol.com.au intended to catch a train. Several not guilty of this murder. I die an Cruet Stands http://en.wikipedia.org/ people remembered seeing the two innocent man and a Christian, and wiki/Cruet-stands men, describing Hansen as a tall trust myself to Jesus Christ.” My thanks to Pamela Smith and John stout man about 6 feet 7 or 8 inches Although death appeared to be Merriman for research assistance, [200cm] high with a thick accent instantaneous, the doctor said the S.Evans. and carrying a heavy swag with a ‘Australian history is almost always picturesque....It does not tomahawk strapped to it. One man said he looked fierce and read like history, but like the most beautiful lies’ frightening. Duncker, a short --- Mark Twain, More Tramps Abroad (1897)
HERITAGE 13 July- August 2010 Blue Mountains Joan Kent comes on board Joan Kent of Little Hartley has Bi-centenary of accepted an offer to fill a vacancy on BMACHO’s management Crossing committee.
Organisation Following an honours degree in history at Macquarie University, Committee Joan spent five years as research assistant to Professor John Ward, appointed then Vice-Chancellor and Challis Professor of History at Sydney Blue Mountains City Council has University, followed by some years now decided on the composition as a consultant historian engaged in of the Bicentenary of Crossing the preparation of thematic studies Organisation Committee which is and conservation plans. as follows: Aboriginal community - Gai An interesting period as the Marheine (Darug Community) research historian at National Parks and Wildlife Service developed her assisting residents in the Hartley Chambers of Commerce - interest in the conservation of the area in attempting to protect this Graham Reibelt (Lawson), Tom built environment, industrial highly significant region from the Colless (Katoomba) and Lew archaeology and social history. ravages of four-laned highways and Hird (Wentworth Falls) concrete flyovers. While living in the UK in the early Historical/Heritage sector - 1990s she advanced this interest by Joan and husband Tom have been Susan Warmbath (Blue completing a masters degree in members of the National Trust of Mountains Historical Society), social science (industrial Australia (NSW) for 30 years and Robert Clarke (BM Branch archaeology) which, in between she has served as secretary of the National Trust of Australia) and breeding alpacas is now utilised in Lithgow Branch. Jean Arthur (Mt Victoria and District Historical Society).
Community representatives - 2.1 million Torrens Titles online Bruce Ferrier, Dr Siobhan The system of Torrens Title is Although he was shipwrecked on Lavelle, OAM, John O’Sullivan, named after its creator, Sir Robert his return trip he managed to John Wakefield, OAM and Kerrin Richard Torrens who in the 1850s survive and on his return formulated O’Grady developed this unique method of the new titling legislation for NSW. registering land ownership. Heritage Identification In January 1853 the Real Property Robert Torrens’ experience in Act came in operation introducing and Protection – merchant shipping law stood him in the Torrens system of Title to NSW. good stead when it came to Today, even though Australia is a Revision of FAHS developing a way of replacing the federation of sovereign states, each Heritage Handbook English land law of the time that state having a different system of was complex, inefficient, time land law, all are based on the same Originally published in 2002 by the consuming and expensive. Torrens Title system. Federation of Australian Historical Societies (FAHS), this guide to Before the Torrens Title was After the first Torrens Title (Volume heritage identification and formulated, a rather inaccurate 1) was issued in 1863, it took 33 protection is intended to provide a chain of documents existed that years to register the next 250,000 practical guide for local historical meant all land dealings had to be titles made up of 100 volumes. The societies that wish to identify and examined and registered, then next 1,875,000 titles (7500 volumes protect local heritage places, placed on public record. took 65 years to register. objects and records. The revision is available from the web only: With the Torrens Title system title to There are 2.1 million records now www.history.org.au/Heritage
HERITAGE 14 July- August 2010 Mt Victoria exhibit recalls eccentric educator at Osborne Ladies’ College A collection of memorabilia, claimed as unique in the world, from Osborne Ladies’ College formerly of Blackheath has been curated as an exhibition at the Mt Victoria and District Historical Society’s museum.
The college was developed by Miss Gibbins in 1923 on 40 acres at Blackheath overlooking the Kanimbla and Megalong Valleys. It was renowned for being run in the tradition of the Royal Navy. The rooms of the school were every Saturday and Sunday and Miss Gibbins started a school at known by names of Royal Navy public holidays and school holidays Bondi in 1910 initially for boys, but ships such as HMS Dreadnought, between 2 and 5 pm the school was later changed to HMS Nelson, HMS Neptune, Sources: girls. She later moved the school to HMS Pelican, HMS Rodney, HMS Robyn Hanstock ‘In the spirit of the Epping, changing the name of her Sirius HMS Sydney and others.. Navy’: Violet Gibbins and Osborne school from the Epping Ladies’ Ladies’ College, Blackheath. Journal of College to Osborne Ladies’ College An emphasis was placed on the Royal Australian Historical Society, after the Royal Naval College, physical fitness, Spartan living (only June 2005. :www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne Osborne on the Isle of Wight. one room was heated at the school, Photograph courtesy Blue Mountains the library) archery, shooting and City Council - Local History Studies The school uniform was in naval dramatic arts. Collection www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/ blue worn with Royal Navy Buttons. The school was closed in 1958 Junior girls of the school were following the illness and death of National Family known as “Middies” from the term Miss Gibbins. The original building midshipman, with prefects being a hotel built in 1883 was destroyed History Week addressed as lieutenant and the by fire in 1963. Blue Mountains Family History head girl as captain. Society is planning a display in the The exhibition curated by Mr Ron Springwood Library for National Military courtesies applied with the Brasier will be officially opened by Family History Week, from Friday, senior girls being saluted. Miss Dr Peter Rickwood on Saturday, July 31, to Saturday, August 7, Gibbins was known as “the admiral” July 10. 2010. In addition, there will be two while her governess, Miss Violet volunteers on duty each day to give Everingham was known as ‘the The exhibition will be open to the personal assistance to members of commander”. public at the museum Railway the public wishing to research their Station, Station Street, Mt Victoria family history world- wide. TAFE students to prepare marketing plan for Family History is not just family trees; the exciting part of family Blue Mountains Historical Society history is finding the stories behind Blue Mountains Historical Society Wentworth Falls site previously the ancestors or putting “the flesh has enlisted the aid of students developed by Colin Slade in 1991. on the bones”. from two TAFE colleges to look at aspects of the future of the society. These works will take a year to It is far more interesting finding out complete, under supervision of their about the history and geography of Advanced Diploma in Marketing tutors and the two master plans are the area/s your family came from, students are working on a expected to be completed by the their occupations, anything that can marketing plan to grow the society. end of this year. be found to “bring them to life”, so These mature students have that they are not just a name, but a already completed 3 years part-time To engage private professionals for person. Of course, if there is a study and are currently employed in these plans, the cost would be convict in the family, there is a the relevant sphere. considerable. And as the society is wealth of information to be found gaining the enthusiasm of multiple, and usually an easy trail to follow. Another group, Diploma and bright, young students it can be Certificate IV TAFE students are expected that the plans might be For further information, please creating a garden master plan for better than perhaps those of a contact Jan Koperberg the future development of the single professional. [email protected] or 02 4754 1544.
HERITAGE 15 July- August 2010 World War II in the A Digger’s Best Friend Blue Mountains In the 1920s and 1930s the Blue arrives at Eskbank House Mountains had a relatively small The Australian War Memorial’s population in the townships along travelling exhibition, A Digger’s Best the highway and railway. Friend will be open to the public every day until Sunday, July 25, There were service centres, many 2010 at Eskbank House, Lithgow. guesthouses and holiday cottages, TB Sanatoria, etc. World War II Opening hours are 10am to 4pm, saw many families and schools, Wednesday to Sunday. Group and including SCEGGS and Cranbrook school bookings are welcome. evacuating from Sydney and relocating boarders in private “Lithgow City Council is delighted to homes, guesthouses, hotels, etc. host this exhibition”, Neville Castle, Mayor of Lithgow Council said. Workers from the Lithgow Small “Curators of the exhibition have Arms Factory also occupied drawn together a fascinating array guesthouses on the Blue of images from the Memorial’s Mountains. Other guest houses National Collection, which have were taken over as service been specially chosen to suit the hospitals, such as the Hydro learning needs of children.” While animals are often used as Majestic for US servicemen and mascots and pets, or as symbols on Sans Souci for the Brits. In Term 1 A Digger’s Best Friend offers an A badges and flags, A Digger’s Best in 1942, Katoomba school had 350 to Z of animals in war, from mascots Friend also looks at those new enrolments. and messengers to creepy-crawlies. unwelcome animals, such as insects, rats, and wild creatures that Blue Mountains Family History Animals are put to many uses in make life in the field even more Society is compiling information war. Sometimes they have jobs to difficult and dangerous. about the Blue Mountains in this do: the horses, camels, mules, and period and is seeking any personal donkeys used to transport soldiers The exhibition has been developed stories, photographs and relevant and equipment, as well as carrier with a young audience in mind, but information that can be used in the pigeons and tracker dogs with their visitors of all ages will enjoy its book that will be published. Please special talents. fascinating and moving stories. contact Joan Edwards [email protected] or Jan The Australian War Memorial’s Koperberg [email protected] Travelling Exhibitions Program is funded by the Australian Mt Wilson & Mt Irvine Historical Society Inc. Government’s Commemorations Notice of mid-year general meeting Program. A warm invitation is extended to all members and friends to For further information contact the Society’s mid-year general meeting with guest speaker, Naomi Parry, Lithgow City Council’s Associate Professor Ian Jack. Cultural Development Officer on Saturday, 31st July 2010 at 10.30am at the 6354 9999 or e-mail: [email protected] Mt Wilson Village Hall, The Avenue, Mt Wilson
11.00am General meeting with committee reports and an update on the Society’s ongoing projects and activities. We are MILITARY especially pleased to announce the awarding of Honorary Life Memberships to Arthur Delbridge and Bruce Wright. MEMORABILIA 12.00noon Guest speaker Associate Professor Ian Jack, President of the Royal Australian Historical Society will tell us about his DISPLAY recent research on the history of Fernmount at Kurrajong. This historic Blue Mountains Historical Society property was created in the 19th Century by William Scott, the very Inc. is organising a display of interesting Government Astronomer, Warden of St Paul’s College and military memorabilia at Tarella, maverick clergyman. It seems that Fernmount attracted similarly Wentworth Falls for Saturday, unusual owners in the twentieth century. September 18.
Members and guests are invited to enjoy a warming lunch after the The society is seeking additional presentation. There will be a gold coin donation at the door to cover material from members and anyone costs. who may have items of interest is asked to contact Susan Warmbath FOR CATERING PURPOSES, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE on 4757 3402. COMING MARY REYNOLDS: 4756 2006 / HELEN CARDY: 9871 3661 OR FLORENCE SMART: 4756 2063 EMAIL: [email protected]
HERITAGE 16 July- August 2010 Dig finds world’s oldest leather shoe It is size six, has lace up design, whether it belonged to a woman or and was worn more than 1000 man. Dr Pinhasi said. “The shoe years before the pyramids were could have well fitted a man from built in Egypt. that era.”
Dated at 5500 years old, it is the It was discovered along with world’s most ancient leather shoe. household goods, including large containers, many of which held Its owner apparently cared enough wheat, barley and apricots. A bone about it to stuff it with grass to keep from a deer, with some meat still it in shape while in storage. attached, two horns of a wild goat and fish bones were also found The well-preserved shoe made from near the shoe. a single piece of cow hide and worn on the right foot was unearthed in a The contents of the cave had been cave in Armenia and studied by a covered with a thick layer of sheep team led by Dr Ron Pinhasi of dung, which had kept them dried University College Cork in Ireland. and preserved for thousands of years, said the researchers, whose While the shoe is small, about a study is published in the science woman’s size six, it was not known journal PLoS ONE. BLUE MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANISATIONS INC. REGISTERED OFFICE 14 Bunnal Avenue, MEMBERSHIP The following organisations are Winmalee 2777 members of BMACHO: Blue Mountains City Library, E-mail: [email protected] or Blue Mountains Historical Society Inc, Blue Mountains [email protected] Family History Society Inc., Blue Mountains Tourism Website: www.bluemountains.heritage.com Limited, Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute, Cudgegong Museums Group Inc, Friends of Norman THE ORGANISATION Blue Mountains Lindsay Gallery, Glenbrook & District Historical Society Association of Cultural Organisations Inc. Inc, Kurrajong-Comleroy Historical Society Inc, (BMACHO) was established in April 2006 following Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort, Lithgow Mining a unanimous response to a proposal from Prof. Museum Inc, Lithgow Regional Library – Local Studies, Barrie Reynolds at the 2004 Blue Mountains Local Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum Inc, Mid- History Conference which sought from Blue Mountains Historical Society Inc, Mid Western Regional Mountains City Council the creation of a cultural Council Library, Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens, Mt Victoria heritage strategy for the city. and District Historical Society Inc, Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine History Society Inc (including Turkish Bath BMACHO in its constitution uses the definition: Museum), Mudgee Historical Society Inc, Mudgee “Cultural heritage is all aspects of life of the Regional Library, National Trust of Australia (NSW) - peoples of the Blue Mountains which was later Blue Mountains Branch (including Woodford Academy), changed to cover Lithgow and the villages along National Trust of Australia (NSW) - Lithgow Branch, the Bell’s Line of Roads. It therefore involves the Scenic World – Blue Mountains Limited, Springwood & recording, preserving and interpreting of District Historical Society Inc., Springwood Historians information in whatever form: documents, objects, inc, Transport Signal and Communication Museum Inc., recorded memories as well as buildings and sites.” Two Centuries of Elegance, Valley Heights Locomotive Depot and Museum, Zig Zag Railway Co-op Ltd. The The objectives of the organisation are: following are individual members: Ray Christison, i. To raise public consciousness of Associate Professor Ian Jack, Joan Kent, John Leary the value of cultural heritage. OAM, John Low, Ian Milliss, Professor Barrie Reynolds, ii. To encourage and assist cultural and Dr Peter Stanbury OAM. heritage activities of member organisations. COMMITTEE The committee for 2010-11 is: John iii. To initiate and support cultural Leary, (president), Ian Jack (vice president), Jan heritage activities not already covered by Koperberg (secretary), Kathie McMahon-Nolf member organisations. (treasurer), Jean Arthur, Joan Kent, Doug Knowles, Dick Morony (public officer), Barrie Reynolds and Peter One of the aims of BMACHO is to bring the various Stanbury. AUDITOR: Sue McMahon, B Comm CPA. bodies into closer contact, to encourage them to work more closely together and to provide a AFFILIATIONS BMACHO is a member of the Royal combined voice on matters of importance within Australian Historical Society Inc. the heritage sector. HERITAGE is BMACHO’s official newsletter.
HERITAGE 17 July- August 2010