TRIBUTE Autumn 2006

St Marys & District Historical Society Inc - Quarterly Newsletter

SOUTH CREEK SWIMMING
Summertime at Redbank 1956

Back Row: Denise Hackett, Tony Bevege (baby), Mrs Joan Bevege, Sandra Bevege, Norma Bevege, Linda, Gloria Bevege. Centre Row: Sammy, Chris, Terry Bevege, Robert Morris, Derek Morris. Front Row: Lynette Hackett, Benita Bevege, Cheryl Bevege, Judith Lee, Brian Lee, Maureen Hackett & Caroline Morris - Photograph courtesy of and taken by Mickey (Vilma) Hall (nee Hackett) my mum. During the long hot summers it was not unusual for families to get together and go for a swim in South Creek. There were several places along the creek that were suitable for swimming or fishing. "Baby Hole" was a shallow swimming area used by mothers wit h young children and babies. The banks were made up of small sand like pebbles, the water was clear and there was shade under the huge gum trees and bushes. "The Pump" was quite deep and was suitable for older children who could swim. "Redbank" - My mother and her friend Joan Bevege would gather all of us kids together and we would wander through the paddock where Coughlin"s cow, Pansy, would be chewing the grass or laying under a nea rby tree in the shade, out of the summer's heat. I can remember side stepping the heat baked "cow paddies" and the occasional steaming one, yuck, I still get the shivers just thinking about it. We crossed the smaller creeks behind St Marys Public School a nd all the time the flies were buzzing and we felt the heat beating on our heads. Down the lane behind Granny and Pop's place and as we got closer to South Creek, running and yelling with joy to see who would get there first. Redbank was deeper than Baby Hole but safe enough for children to be able to wade out in or have a swim. The creek banks were quite steep in places and you would need to walk carefully down the track to the waters edge which would open out to a sand like pebble beach area with bull rushes to one side. Mum told me a story, one of many I might say, that apparently my brother Robert and his friend Wally Waterhouse learnt how to swim on the bend just up from Redbank. Apparently Mr Waterhouse must have thought it was time for them to learn ho w to swim, so he threw them in the creek. My brother and his friend survived and are still with us today, and I can only say that it was only one of their very many adventures. Growing up in St Marys in the 1950's was a great time for kids, everyone knew each other, and most of our relatives lived close by. We went to St Marys Public School and then onto St Marys High School. It was a simple life with the highlights of birthdays, Easter and Christmas , and the school summer holidays and swimming in the creeks. Reminiscence by member Caroline Volkiene (nee Morris)

Page No. 1

COMMONWEALTH GAMES BATON RELAY

Our Society held a photo display in Coachman's Park at St Marys for the celebration of the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay on the 25th February, 2006. The runners came through St Marys via Charles Hackett Drive up Queen Street. Photo shows Deputy Mayor Greenow & our President Norma Thorburn at Coachman's Park, St Marys.

AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS AT PENRITH REGATTA CENTRE

Some of our members participated, in costume, in the celebrations by mounting a historical display that went down well with the members of the public who were happy to reminisce with us about their time spent at St Marys and the surrounding district. It was a very hot day, but the "historical" area was allocated at the back end of the festivities and covered with a massive big tent supplied by Penrith Council and we sometimes had the breeze from the lake to cool us down. Our President Norma Thorburn and her husband Tom went as Governor & Mrs Macquarie and members Lyn Forde and Margaret Dwyer were dressed in 1805 period.

Members of the public check out our Photographic Display Norma & Tom Thorburn & Lyn Forde >>>>>>>>>>>>>

PENRITH HISTORY CONFERENCE - in conjunction with this conference, which was held at Penrith Council Civic Centre on Saturday, 18th March, 2006, which was excellent and well attended and our congratulations to the Council Staff involved), our Society participated on the Sunday, with a tour of the St Mary Magdalene Church graveyard to coincide with the Conference - the tour of the church was given by our Society member and Church Historian Robyn Hanstock. The graveyard tour was conducted by President, Norma Thorburn and Secretary, Lyn Forde who has researched and written about the burials. The day turned out to be very hot (around 31) and had to be abandoned for the cool of a tree, but was well attended nevertheless. Refreshments were served in the old Sunday School Hall and the feedback to the Society was positive.

-oOo-

The St Marys & District Historical Society meets every 4th Saturday at 1 pm - at the St Marys Arts & Craft Centre 2 - 6 Mamre Road, St Marys.

ALL WELCOME

Website - www.stmaryshistoricalsociety.org

Page No. 2

THE DEDICATION OF NATIONAL SERVICEMEN OF AUSTRALIA PLAQUE
VICTORIA PARK, ST MARYS - 1951 to 1972
5th February, 2006

St Marys RSL Sub-Branch screening of the ABC Four Corners Documentary
"The Men who Saved Australia"

Two of our members, Norma Thorburn and Lyn Forde were invited to attend, and thoroughly enjoyed, this moving documentary by Chris Masters of the ABC Four Corners Program . The documentary told the story of the men of the 2nd AIF who served on the Kakoda Trail in Papua New Guinea and managed to stop the Japanese from taking Port Moresby in World War Two. The night was made all the more special as the guest was General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Ret). who was, flying up to Queensland to take charge of the massive clean up after cyclone Larry devastated the region. Photo shows Lyn Forde, General Peter Cosgrove (Ret) & Norma Thorburn. (Photo courtesy Paul Martyn-Jones)

This Newsletter is a free publication. Articles in this Newsletter may be republished if permission is given by the Society.

Please contact:-

(While care is taken to ensure that all articles are accurate, the opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Society) Any comments on this Newsletter are encouraged

Page No. 3

PUBLICATIONS

PLEASE, DON’T THROW OUT AUSTRALIAN HISTORY. OLD PHOTOGRAPHS, BOOKS, LETTERS, RECEIPTS, DOCKETS, NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES.
IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY