DLCA History Group
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The DLCA inc. Derrinallum & Lismore History Group
will be hosting a ‘SPEAKERS EVENT':
"Medals, Memories & More......"
Keep this date free:
Sunday 22nd April 2012, 11:00am @ Derrinallum Hall
SEE BELOW "HISTORY GROUP NEWS" for arrangements
1. Peter Bakker: TOPIC: "Medals and Medal Ribbons of the British Empire". He will bring an extensive collection of ribbons. He will also provide a brief overview of the history of medal ribbons and the decorum involved in their usage.
.........I will bring an extensive display of British medal ribbons from the Battle of Waterloo to present day, a full display of Australia's current honour system of military ribbons, and numerous other military and civil ribbon bars. I will also bring a selection of medals for display, including a medal belonging to a British soldier of the Middlesex Regiment who was killed in the fighting of the very first day of the first British battle against the Germans in the First World War - at the Battle of Mons on 23rd August, 1914. I am able to provide a brief overview of the history of medal ribbons and the decorum involved in their usage. I will have some books with me and will try to answer questions as to identification, replacements, etc. After my talk people will be free to view the colourful and informative display items on tables. I have found from experience that the displays are very popular and get people involved - they allow people to mingle, chat and ask questions................................
2. Katrina Hedditch: TOPIC: "Lemnos 1915- A Nursing Odyssey in Gallipoli" Katrina will speak about her latest book "Lemnos 1915" and the contribution these amazing nurses, many from the Western District, made during WW1.
................."Here I am at work now, and, by jove, it is work too. When we landed on Sunday night we had a march from the pier up to this place - about a mile - over rough stony ground...We went "on duty" to a tent with 20 mattresses, blankets, four stools, a couple of teapots and a jug. I think that was all the equipment of my tent...To feed 40 patients with about six cups or feeders is not an enviable job." Sr. Lilian Malster.
Nurses who sailed from western Victoria in 1914 and 1915 watched and lived through the medical debacle at close quarters from hospital ships as well as the base hospitals in Egypt and on Lemnos. Their experiences are a fascinating but forgotten chapter of Australian war history.
3. Robin Drooglever: TOPIC:"Victoria's contribution to the Boer War". Robin is the author of 2 extensive books on the Boer War, "That Ragged Mob- A Regimental History of the Victorian Bushmen", the story of the Victorian 3rd and 4th Contingents sent to the war in South Africa in 1900. & " Thorneycroft's Unbuttoned - The Story of Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry in the Boer War, 1899-1902 (Includes the Roll of all Who Served)".
Robin has an extensive knowledge of the Boer War and is such an interesting speaker............if you have an ancestor who was involved please bring details to share.
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HISTORY GROUP NEWS
Report DLCA History meeting held Friday 13th APRIL 2012 at the History Rooms, Derrinallum with 17 people attending. As we only meet every two months there is always a lot of discussion.
We are looking forward to our next event 'Military, Memories & Medals' at Derri. Hall on Sun. April 22nd 11am start. The day will be broken into 3 parts. The first speaker is Peter Bakker a Medal Ribbon Collector. We will then break for BYO lunch approx. midday. Tea & Coffee will be provided. We will resume with the second speaker approx 12.45pm - Katrina Hedditch has written several books including the story of the contribution of nurses during WW1. We will break again at approx. 1.45pm and resume 2pm with our third speaker Robin Droogleever who is searching for people with ancestors who served in the Boer War. We will conclude at 3pm with afternoon tea. Please bring any medals, ribbons or memorabilia. This day has been planned so people are able to come & go between sessions if they have other commitments. GOLD COIN ENTRY
We have a new treasurer! Congratulations and thankyou to Pauline McPadden for accepting the role. We would like to thank Margaret Nixon for her time as treasurer. Margaret has resigned from the position. We have had to re-evaluate our opening hours on a Friday. Our hours of opening are now afternoons only 1-4pm every Friday or by appointment. This will be a little less of an 'ask' on our volunteers. There are also phone numbers in the window of the History Rooms if you require some assistance at some other time.
There is a lot of exciting history research, recording by tape, scanning of photos and newspapers in progress. Please call in some time and find out what is happening or even assist us. We always appreciate families making contact if they find photos, diaries or documents relating to the district. We don't ever wish to keep them but we could very quickly scan them so a copy could be kept @ HR for future generations. Tony Hodson has just seen a photo of the "lamp lighter" at Derrinallum - a very rare find.
Our next meeting will be held 8th June @ 9.30am at History Rooms, Derrinallum. All Welcome.
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HISTORY ROOMS are generally open: Friday 1 - 4pm
except Public Holidays, limited hours during January.
*****Please Note revised hours: 1 - 4pm Friday
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GNARPURT SCHOOL REUNION REPORT
A very successfull gathering was held on the 1st of April at the Grimwade Rooms, Lismore Health Centre. 40 people attended with 19 ex students present on the day. Memories, photos & escapades of school days were revealed!
Rodger & Jenny Mulligan and Patzy Fort did a marvellous job in organising the day. The DLCA History Group appreciated the invitation to attend and gather information, photos and other local history on the day.
Gnarpurt State School Reunion 1-4-2012
BACK ROW: Wayne McIntyre, Edmund Baker, Ivan Davey, John Wager, Kevin Mathews, Noel Hynes, Francis Baker, John Gibson.
MIDDLE ROW: David Gibson, Anna Affleck (Durham), Elizabeth Gibson, Vivien McDougall (Wager), Neville Johnston, Beverly Austin (Hynes), Rodger Mulligan.
FRONT ROW: Patzy Fort (Davey), Nina Grose (Dunstan), Irene Meek (Hynes), Patricia Graham (Fleming)
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REMINDER: Our third meeting for the year Friday 8 June 2012
@ 9:30 at the History Rooms, 46 Main St., Derrinallum.
ALL WELCOME
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Derrinallum & Lismore Community Association Inc.
History Group.
Incorporation: A0040335K ABN:93 535 349 552
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HISTORY ROOMS: 46 Main Street, DERRINALLUM. 3325
POSTAL ADDRESS: Box 25, DERRINALLUM. 3325
EMAIL: derrinallum.lismore.history@gmail.com
HISTORY ROOMS CONTACT: Phone 04 0067 7843.....
PRESIDENT 2012: Sandy Gibson: Bus Hrs:55962012
SECRETARY 2012: Barbara Roysland.
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The Derrinallum & Lismore Community Association History Group was formed in 2002 as a subcommittee of the Derrinallum & Lismore Community Association. Following a Community Opportunity Workshop held in 2001, it became obvious that there was a strong interest in the history of our district so a group was formed. Membership grew, activities and goals developed. In 2007 History Rooms were built in Derrinallum through the generous support of Community, Shire & Government. Our mostly paper based archive is growing. We are an active "Group", which is continuing to evolve and gain community status and recognition. Our focus area is Lismore, Derrinallum and Darlington.
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OUR MISSION:
The Derrinallum & Lismore Community Association History Group is dedicated to the collection, preservation, interpretation, promotion and research of the history and culture of the local area.
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PROPOSED MEETING DATES 2012:
@ History Rooms Derrinallum @ 9:30am ON a Friday
February10, April 13, June 8, August 10 (AGM), October 12, December 7.
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GALA Estate- SOLDIER SETTLEMENT
Plaque unveiling- 27th November 2011
Over one hundred people attended the unveiling at the site on the Lismore-Skipton Road. Three families - The Heath. Lloyd & Liston children, who spent their childhood here and went to the Lismore Primary School, enjoyed renewing acquaintances and remembering old times. Apologies were received from the Corlette family. No response was received from Adrian or Alistar Robertson.
Jim Liston brought down the most amazing selection of old Lismore photos - footy, wedding, cars & farms all without any identification. They were all in the canvas bag his father took to the war. We would love some of the locals to "peruse" these photos at the History Rooms to assist in identifying people.
A former Lismore Primary School teacher, Miss Pat Dunlop also came and caught up with former students from the early 1950's.
Thankyou to the many locals who attended and to the people who assisted us by moving chairs, the shelter etc. and supplying afternoon tea. Many thanks to Tom Dennis for selecting the beautiful granite rock, Corangamite Shire and their staff, traffic management people and the Dept of Veterans Affairs.
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GEELENGLA SCHOOL PLAQUE
History was revisited on Sunday 4th December 2011 when fifty people attended the unveiling by Councillor Geoff Smith of a commemorative plaque for Geelengla School students, their families and teachers of the school.
The school was built in 1924 to cater for the children of the soldier settlers that settled in the district after the 1914-1918 war. The school was destroyed by grass fires in 1944. The land the soldiers settled on was acquired by the government from Larra Station abd was named after the parish of Geelengla.
Fourteen students attended the unveiling. Three apologies from students unable to attend for various reasons. Many stories were told by students, some told what they wouldn't want their family or grandchildren top hear!
The day ended with more stories and a cup of tea and eats at the home of Laweton French. (Report by Laweton French)
The plaque and event was organised by Laweton French, assisted by the DLCA History Group & Corangamite Shire.
Former school students: Left to right: Colin Brown, Lowell French, Grace Brown, Betty Eccles, L. Drinnan, Laweton French, Max Morris, Cr. Geoff Smith, Don Rogerson, Digger French, R. McPherson.
4140 GEELENGLA:
'Built at the foot of Mt Elephant, this was another of the Western Plains schools opened because of closer settlement after the first World War. It began in 1922, situated on land now owned by D. Grant. Elsie Rogers was the teacher for two or three years. It appears that the last teacher was Miss E. de Vries, in 1942, when the school closed. The building was to have been moved to Darlington, but it was destroyed in the fires of January, 1944.'
Page 967: VISION & REALISATION: VOLUME 2- A Centenary History of State Education in Victoria- Educ. Dept. of Victoria 1973
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We are very proud to announce that the long awaited
WW1 Soldier Settlement, Derrinallum, Victoria
book is available: $15
"Settlement Among the Stones"
This is a wonderful pictorial record and is a project of the DLCA- HISTORY GROUP. Thankyou to all who were involved with the production, photos and stories; and to the Corangamite Shire for their funding of the project. The narrative is retold by locals as they recall their childhood.
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CARDs..........NEW DESIGNS
Quality blank cards depicting local places and features around the Derrinallum, Lismore & Darlington areas
$3 each or $10 selection of 4
AVAILABLE AT
History Rooms, Wooltrack Store-Lismore, Derri. Post Office.
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"GALA SOLDIER SETTLERS"
We are thrilled to announce that the Department of Veteran's Affairs has agreed to the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to recognise the "Gala" settlers and has provided us with the funds. The event was held on Sunday 27th November 2011 on site on the Skipton Rd.
The original five families are:
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Bob & Fran LLOYD,
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Ian & Audrey ROBERTSON,
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Bill & Joyce HEATH,
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Tom & Lilian LISTON
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Jack & Shirley CORLETTE.
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The DLCA Inc. History Group hopes to publish a quarterly NEWSLETTER
Members may request a copy either by email or snail mail.
Members are welcome to place stories and photographs in the newsletters.
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MEMBERSHIPS are now due: 2011-2012
Don't forget a membership entitles you to attend functions/workshops which may not always be available to the public. It also covers insurance while on outings. Members also have free access to our collection.
JOINT/FAMILY: $15. SINGLE: $10. STUDENT/CONC.: $5.
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We have a surplus of 1970's & 80's ‘Western Plains' newspapers. We have stored a copy of each for the archives. The papers contain many Derrinallum & Lismore articles that are to be sorted into files and scrapbooks. If you would like to come along and assist us please contact the History Rooms on a Friday 1-4pm or ring 0400 677 843.
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Thankyou to Judith Sarto for sharing her knowledge and Pop-up book collection at the History Rooms last weekend. Judith has collected many books. She began her collection with a Star Wars book in the 70's. Her collection includes books for adults and children. Pop-up books are usually put together by an author, an illustrator and a paper engineer.
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A Bolt.
(Taken from the Lismore Advertiser Wed. Aug. 1st 1917)
A spirited Gnarpurt pair of buggy horses had the time of their lives on Monday morning. Left standing by the groom in front of Mr Syd Hall's shop for a moment, they seized the opportunity to make an exhilarating journey of their own accord, and succeeded in reaching the Titanga stables where they were again brought under human control. They cleverly dodged the groom as he rushed out to stop them, went up High St. at a smart pace, pretended to be frightened at Mr Clarke's baker's cart at the Manse, and settled down to race Mr Felix Waugh when he gave chase along Derrinallum Road. He frustrated their intention to turn into Skipton road, but they beat him to the Titanga Lodge gates.
These were only half open, but they went through them with a bang, and whirled the buggy up the drive at a Melbourne Cup gait. Sweeping around the homestead they encountered a gate, and went through it, breaking the post. They were just about to negotiate another gate, when a station hand rushed at them with a broom, and they capitulated.
The only damage done was a broken breastplate, and the turn-out was at the railway station in time to meet Mr Archie Thomson on his arrival by the morning train. It was fortunate that from the Manse onward the pair had a clear run. Had they encountered anything on the road, it is hard to say what might have happened.
This article supplied by DLCA History Group.
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BOOKS AVAILABLE: at DLCA Inc HISTORY ROOMS
"DESIGNING PLACES" An archaelogy of the Western District. This book is filled with glorious local photographs and information about our district. $30
"BROWNS WATER HOLES" History of Lismore 1840-1980. $20
"WE ARE GEELONG" The story of Geelong Football Club. Photographs and stories capture magnificent memories for Cats fans. $45
ALSO available at "WOOLTRACK STORE" High Street, Lismore
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RESEARCH REQUESTS undertaken. $20
Please email : derrinallum.lismore.history@gmail.com
or post: P.O. Box 25 Derrinallum, Victoria, 3325
Please include as many known details possible, names, dates, places etc
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Click here for a description of the sculpture.
(It is a *.docx file which needs a recent version of version of MS Word to open.)
LOCAL HISTORY NEWS: Sunday 15th May 2011, 2pm, Lwr Darlington Rd. Lismore. What a terrific afternoon!
Freezing cold, windswept side of the road, enthusiastic locals, fans from far and wide and some of the Geelong Footy Club's great past players ~all kept warm from the inner glow of the Cat's Friday night triumph over the Pies.
The unveiling of a set of three plaques to commemorate the site of the former Struan Dam State School no. 3730 and the amazing coincidence, that in 1914, two Geelong Football Club's greatest players, both attended this school.
Geoff Gallichan had unearthed a school photo from 1914, with a teacher and 19 young students; and standing tall in the back row, is Carji Greeves and in the front row, a dapper young Reg Hickey.
Who could have imagined that those little boys in their lace-up boots would still to this day, be household names among Geelong supporters?
The children in the photo are from the White, Gibson, O'Brien, Hickey, Watson and Greeves families.
The day started with Sandy Gibson reading excerpts from Lyle Gibson's diary of her days at Struan Dam School.
AFL Statistics & History Consultant Col Hutchinson, told of the beginnings of the Geelong club and of the skills and leadership of Reg and Carji and the many other former players from the Western District.
GFC Board Member Bob Gartland introduced the Hickey and Greeves families; Christine Primus(Hickey), Margaret Wilkie(Hickey), Jenny Maishman(Hickey) and June Ford(Greeves) and their extended families.
Afternoon tea was provided by the Derrinallum & Lismore History Group and the hard working volunteers - Wendy, Norma and Gwenda, who made sandwiches, served hot drinks and even did the washing up, Geoff Gallichan for scones, éclairs and slice. A very big thankyou to you all. History Group members Margaret, Avon, Jan, Tony, Marg, Pauline, Alisoun and Lachie had researched and arranged a display of information about Reg and Carji. They had also prepared postcards to commemorate the event.
These cards and other lovely local district postcards are available for purchase at the History Rooms.
GFC donated special football books as raffle prizes and the winners were Keith Primus, Ellen Gibson, Wendy O'Brien and David Gibson ~ and they were all related to the children in the 1914 Struan school photograph!
Margaret Nixon is planning a display of the day in the History Room windows and Trish Ringe has taken a collection of great photographs of the event. Do call between 10am - 4pm in on a Friday and see it all.
Carji in back row, 2nd from left. Reg in front row, 2nd from right.
Does anybody know the others??
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"The Hello Girls..."
Lismore & Derrinallum Telephonists, Linesmen, Night (Boys) Staff, Technicians and PostMasters get together held on Sunday 27th March 2011 at the History Rooms at Derrinallum proved to be a great success.
Over 50 interested people met and chatted and swapped stories over lunch, afternoon tea and beyond..... Some travelled great distances. We were able to record many of their stories and memories.
The telephone played a major role in the development of the country. The switchboard was the lifeline of the towns. Fires, births, deaths & accidents as well as celebrations all went through the exchange. The manual exchange began possibly in 1906 and ceased operating in Lismore 8pm, March 8th, 1978. The commemorative plaque and stone is in the median strip near the flag pole and "new" sculpture.
We would like to thank all these people for their contribution to our community. Last Sunday was a tribute to the many who worked on keeping the lines open for business! Thankyou to everyone who made the get together such a success.
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Situated beside the library at Derrinallum.
It is open generally every Friday afternoon 10am-4pm.
There are constantly changing displays of local history.
The rooms hold a range of papers, photos and items if local interest which have been contributed by community members.
EMAIL: derrinallum.lismore.history@gmail.com
