TRIBUTE | |
| WINTER 2007 | FREE PUBLICATION |
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What a wonderful day we had on Sunday, 27th May, 2007, when our members rose to the occasion in our 1907 period costumes to participate in these historic celebrations at Penrith. The weather couldn’t have been better if we planned it ourselves. Our members, in costume, boarded the steam train from Penrith station on Sunday morning amid the thronging public who clamoured to take our photos and ask questions about steam train travel and what the people of the area were wearing 100 years ago. Our members were happy to walk up and down the corridors of the train discussing this and the many questions asked about the significance of celebrations. In the afternoon, we embarked on the “Nepean Belle” at Tench Reserve for a leisurely sail up the Nepean River where Captain Wakeling entertained us with renditions of much loved old songs accompanied by our members and Norma and Tom Thorburn dancing to the tunes. Afternoon tea was served with scones & cream and then we went under the rail bridge where we waited for the steam train to halter on the bridge. Many photos were taken and lots of waves were exchanged between the “Nepean Belle” and those passengers on the steam train before the train blew it’s whistle for the last time and carried on over to the Emu Plains side. Our members finished off with a delicious dinner at the Penrith Rowing Club.
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| Members on the "Nepean Belle" | Steam train at the Nepean rail bridge crossing |
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| Ernie cutting his cake with Norma Thorburn and member Betty Richardson looking on - Photo courtesy of Lyn Forde |
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On Saturday, 28th April, 2007 our members attended the 50th Golden Anniversary Chrysanthemum Championship Exhibition held at the Memorial Hall at St Marys. Tony Biddulph continued to win many of the prizes for his wonderful display of Chrysanthemums. Our Society mounted a historical display from our 1957 St Mary’s photos and was also introduced by Councillor Jackie Greenow (who is a member of our Society) to the Japanese Consul, who was in attendance to present the “Hakusan City, Mayor’s Award”.
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| Photo shows Tony Biddulph, Mayor Pat Sheehy, Norma & Tom Thorburn. (Photos courtesy of Lyn Forde) | Photo shows member Margaret Dwyer, the Japanese Consul & Councillor Jackie Greenow |
On Wednesday, 28th March, 2007 the St.Marys RSL Women’s Auxiliary celebrated their 60th Birthday in grand style at the St.Marys RSL Club. Joining the Auxiliary members were State Member and Patron, the Hon. Diane Beamer, Sub-Branch representatives, visitors from State Branch, several other Auxiliaries and members of Women’s Clubs from St.Marys. Following the wonderful luncheon, the crowd was entertained by “Crushed Ice” a very popular duo at the RSL.
Everyone agreed it was a marvellous day and thanks go to President Hilda Smart, Secretary Jan Bergan, who was the MC, and all members involved with the organisation of the celebrations.
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| Seen cutting the Birthday Cake are left to right: Dorothy Radford, Jean Glover, Molly Backhouse, Hilda Smart, Paul Martyn-Jones (Sub-Branch President) and Jan Bergan |
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The original Dollin family settled in the St Marys area and their descendents were very well represented at this reunion held at the St Marys Senior High School hall on the 27th May, 2007. Les Dollin was the organiser of this function and launched his website www.lesdollin.com on the day. More information about the Dollin Family can be seen in our Spring 2003 Tribute online.
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| Photos courtesy of Lyn Forde) | Part of the Display on Nprman Dollin | Dollin Family Crest |
The following members are new to our Society and were welcomed at recent meetings:-
Update on St Marys Precinct – Penrith Council will be updating the building where our Society meets. We have been assured that there will be minimal disruption to the building which will house our Society and a few other organisations. All new members are encouraged to contact the President or Vice President (phone numbers below) to enquire about future meetings. This will only be until our building is complete and we move in permanently.
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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
This Newsletter is a free publication. Articles in this Newsletter may be republished if permission is given by the Society.
Please contact:-
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President |
Vice President |
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Norma Thorburn 9623-2307 |
Lyn Forde 9673-3506 |
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normathorburn@tpg.com.au |
lynforde@yahoo.com.au |
(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
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From the pages of the “Nepean Times”
Occupation Survey (31/5/1945) – All civilians in Australia over the age of fourteen on June 1 of this year must fill in an occupation card and deliver it to the officer issuing new ration books next Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3. If everyone fills in a card and keeps it with the identity card ready to hand to the ration book officer, it will save time and inconvenience at issuing centres. New ration books will not be issued unless the cards have been completed. Occupation survey cards are obtainable at all post offices.
Inhuman Cruelty to Cattle (16/8/1945) – “If defendant were not an old woman she would have gone to gaol.” stated Mr Collins S.M. at Parramatta Police Court in dealing with a case in which Mary Masters was up on seven charges of failing to provide sufficient shelter for cattle at Mt Druitt. “I would have had no hesitation in inflicting a very heavy penalty if she were not a pensioner” said his Worship. Herbert Scott, DSPCA, Inspector, said that 33 cattle had been confined in an area of less than an acre. The yard was entirely bare and there was no vestige of food to be seen. Four of the cattle were in such a poor condition that they staggered at a light push. A fully-grown bull was confined in a small pen and defendant told him that the animal had been there for two months. The animals were descended from those owned by her mother who died 13 years ago. She had no idea why she kept the cattle as she obtained no returns from them. The magistrate told defendant, who pleaded guilty, that she must get rid of the cattle immediately. Mr Robilliard (for defendant) said that the cattle belonged to her brother, a war-worker, some had already been sold and defendant would get rid of the others.
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
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Editor & Publisher: Lyn Forde |
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