Planes, Trains and Fuel Tanks

The Wimmera Branch of the National Trust is organising a special bus tour as part of the Australian Heritage Festival.

Serviceton Railway Station

Visit and tour the historic Serviceton Railway Station, the Nhill Airfield and Wolseley Fuel Tanks by coach from Horsham.

The Wimmera Branch will host a special coach trip leaving the Horsham Library car park to travel to Nhill, Wolseley, Mundulla and Serviceton. Representatives from each stop-over will meet and greet the visitors.

At the Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre. The Centre has a Avro Anson, Link Trainer and Tiger Moth, and is fundraising for a Wirraway. See the current restoration projects while partaking of a refreshing morning tea.

Water tower, Sericeton

Crossing the border into South Australia, view the Wolseley Fuel Tanks which were camouflaged as farm buildings. In WWII fuel storage depots were erected at various inland sites considered secure from attack by sea-borne aircraft. At Wolseley two standard 120,000 gallon storage tanks and one 40,000 gallon ethyl mixing tank were erected & camouflaged to look like farm buildings with broom bush and straw.

Take in lunch at the historic 1884 Mundulla Hotel for their seasonal menu (at additional cost), or BYO picnic hamper in the park opposite the hotel.

Back in Victoria, tour the once-grand 1887 Serviceton Railway Station. Built on the border between Victoria and South Australia, Serviceton served as both the changeover point for the different railway gauges and Customs Control between states until Federation in 1901.

Serivceton Railway Station Yards, T. Payne

Serviceton, close to the Victoria-South Australia border, was the changeover point for locomotives and crews on the broad-gauge system until through-running was introduced between Melbourne and Adelaide. Thus a variety of motive-power and rolling stock from both state-systems could be expected there at any one time. In more recent years this line has been converted to standard-gauge; most of the facilities seen in this photograph are but a memory and trains no longer stop there.  Taken on 2 December 1967 by Ted Payne (from “Closed station - Lost Locations Victoria part 2” Train Hobby Publications).

This amazing photograph shows the station at a time of transformation - steam is still going strong, but there’s a rail-motor backed up to the water tower which has since been dismantled, and a diesel locomotive. Curious items are the 2 M.A.S.H.-looking ambulances and the caravan parked beside the grain shed. Things that have disappeared are, the water tower on the left, the All Saints Anglican Church and the cattle loading yards, and all the siding track.

Refreshment Room, Serviceton

Enjoy afternoon tea in the Station Refreshment Room before returning home.

This is a rare opportunity to see some special locations and learn from their stories.

Details: The tour is on Sunday 6^th May, 2018. Parking available in Library Carpark, where the bus departs from.

Arrive at the Library 8:15 for a 8:30am departure. The toilet-equipped bus will be returning at approximately 6:00pm.

Cost is $75:00 per person. Pre-booking is required, contact tintacarwimmera@outlook.com or by phoning 03 5382 0681.

The 'School Bus' Tour

As part of the National Trust’s Heritage Festival, a hosted bus tour of some of the rural and town school sites surrounding Horsham will be conducted. The tour will visit a number of marked and unmarked school sites, and some abandoned school buildings. Narrative on the tour will include the history of various schools and stories of the districts. 

The 'School Bus' Tour will be conducted on Sunday 30th April 2017, from 1pm to 5pm.

The cost is $25:00 per person. Numbers are limited to the bus capacity, so bookings are essential. To book either visit the Horsham Library, or phone 5382 5707 or for library members registered with Proscribe – go to proscribe.net./subscriber/login.php.

The meeting place is at the bus in the Mibus Centre Carpark, 26-28 McLachlan Street, Horsham. Free parking available at the Mibus Centre Carpark.

Attendees will encounter some steps and uneven surfaces. Refreshments will be available enroute. More details at the National Trust site.

Other National Trust Heritage Festival events include ‘Sir Samuel Speaks’ a Mother’s Day high-tea at Longerenong Homestead.

A place in the Wimmera

Explore the history of the Wimmera and Southern Mallee region at the launch of the online book 'Place-names of the Wimmera' - an alphabetical list of place names of localities & towns, parishes & counties, lakes & streams, hills and mountains in the area covered by the Wimmera Regional Library. It includes Aboriginal and historic etymology of place names.
The online book will be accessible on the Wimmera Regional Library's website. 

The launch includes a presentation showing how explorers and surveyors named specific places and landmarks across the region.

The 'Place-names of the Wimmera' launch will be held at the Horsham Library on Wednesday 25th May from 7:00 to 8:30pm. It is a free event and bookings are essential by either visiting the library or phoning 53825707.

The launch of the 'Place-names of the Wimmera' book, is a part of the National Trust Heritage Festival for 2016.

Check out other Heritage Festival events at the National Trust website

A walk on the dark side

Come along to our heritage walk - 'Secrets of Horsham's laneways'.

Uncover the stories behind Horsham city's network of laneways - the haunt of the night-cart man. Once important & busy thoroughfares, they are now largely forgotten. 

A guided loop walk will trek around Horsham's central business district commencing from the foyer of the Mibus Centre. 

Commentary along the way will reveal facts and stories about the people and the businesses that frequented the alleys and lanes over the years. 

Refreshments will be available after the walk.

The walk will be held  on Saturday 14th May from 2:00 to 3:30pm. It is a free event and bookings are essential by either visiting the library or phoning 53825707.

Those attending need to wear sensible walking shoes for uneven and rough surfaces.

If wet a virtual tour will be held at the Horsham Library in the Mibus Centre.

'Secrets of Horsham's laneways' is part of Discovery & re-discoveries - the National Trust Heritage Festival for 2016.

Stay tuned for more events during May.

Crafting books

As part of the National Trust Heritage Festival for 2016, the Library is conducting a number of events.

 
The first is 'Crafting your own books'
Need ideas on composing your story? Have the material and want to know how to present it?

 'Crafting Your Own Books' can assist you with examples of handcrafted stories, anecdotes and verse, showcasing how bits n' pieces, scrap, memory objects etc. can create a unique look for the cover and make-up of your book, journal or album.

This is an encore presentation by Christine Gerdtz. Last year Christine enthused an audience with ideas and examples of what can be created from scrap pieces to frame handmade books and albums.

'Crafting your own books' will be held at the Horsham Library on Tuesday 10th May from 1:30 to 2:30. It is a free event and bookings are essential by either visiting the library or phoning 53825707.

Strewth

As part of the National Trust of Victoria's "Conflict & Compassion' Heritage Festival, Horsham Library is hosting "Strewth : a book talk".

Men of the 8th Battalion on Bolton's Ridge

Locals John Francis and his wife Gillian have compiled a book which is a forensic look at Horsham’s involvement in World War I. During the war 2,400 district men and women served, with 450 killed in action, and 149 men and 1 women who were decorated. 
The book, covers the area within the Horsham Rural City Council boundary, and includes a profile of those killed and decorated, the soldier’s stories, their letters to home and the diaries they wrote.
The talk is on Wednesday 6th  May 2015  from 7-8:30pm, with a light supper afterwards.
Copies of 'Strewth' will be available for sale and signing by the authors.
For bookings call in to the library or phone 5382 5707.
 
(The well-known War Memorial's photo shows Private Ted 'Kid' Freeman of Dooen, Private George Clements of Dimboola, Private James B. 'Jim' Bryant of Stawell, Private Samuel 'Sam' Wilson of Dimboola, and Private Robert Hutchinson of Horsham)

Community milestones

We have been researching local Community Milestones for the National Trust's Heritage Festival, and almost reached another.
It was in December 1963 that the Nhill Library opened in the Lowan Shire Offices. Unfortunately the building was recently gutted as part of the new Hindmarsh Shire office development, however there is still the photo evidence.

The library in residence in 1960s

Going - March 2013

Gone...just a shell - April 2013

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The Kaniva and Lowan Shires both joined the then Horsham and Dunmunkle Library in 1962. The Lowan Shire incorporated the library area into their new Shire offices, which opened on 20th December 1963.

The 606 square foot library had a bookstock of 2,500 volumes, and was open for 16 hours a week.

 The Library Assistant was Mrs Rita Oehm, at the loans desk above.

The shelving was mainly Tebrax with some wooden units. The vinyl flooring was in natural tonings with a black and blue pattern set into it. The chairs were a brown vinyl.

The childrens' section had stools of natural coloured vinyl and a wooden picture book unit with a padded seat.

The Library moved out of the Shire Offices into a shopfront location in Nelson Street.
Then in 1997, the Hindmarsh Shire purchased the old Manchester Unity Lodge Hall in Clarence Street, and the Library moved back into the building which had previously been home to the Nhill Free Library Reading Room.

- Stage One of the new two-storey Hindmarsh Shire Offices behind the old Lowan Shire Offices building. There will be an Open Day for the new offices on Monday 13th May from 10am to 4pm.

Approaching milestone

Just a reminder, as time is drawing near for the Horsham Library’s guided walking tours of the Old Section of the Horsham Cemetery. Two tours will be run, the first – the Daytime Tour – will be 12:30-2:30pm, the second – the Night time Tour will be 6:30-8:30pm. Both tours will be conducted on Saturday 20th April 2013.

The two tours will concentrate on the Old Section of the cemetery, where the tour guide will highlight various headstones and graves depicting local community milestones of historical events and local identities.

The purpose of the tour is to promote the appreciation of the role of cemeteries and cemetery research in compiling family research and knowledge of local history.

Entry is via the Pioneers Entrance in Kalkee Road, with parking near the Cemetery Trust Office. 

Refreshments will be available after each tour.

Attendees will need to wear suitable clothes for the weather and enclosed comfortable footwear. Also those on the Night time Tour will need to bring a torch or lantern.

Bookings are essential for both tours, and will be taken at the Horsham Branch Library in the Mibus Centre, 28 McLachlan Street in Horsham 
(Phone 03 5382 5707, email horsham.library@wrlc.org.au).

Attendees are required to complete a Cemetery Tour Agreement form prior to undertaking the tour.

The “Milestones & Headstones” cemetery walking tours, are part of the 2013 National Trust Community Heritage Festival, 18 April-19 May 2013.

Milestones & Headstones

As part of the National Trust's Heritage Festival, Horsham Library will be conducting two “Milestones & Headstones” tours of the Horsham Cemetery.

The Old Section of Horsham Cemetery

Join the National Trust in celebrating our unique heritage across Australia during the Trust’s 2013 Heritage Festival – “Community Milestones”

In 2013 it will be 100 years since the name of Australia’s new capital city was announced, and the National Trust is exploring ideas of community and milestones. Through talks, tours, exhibitions and events across the country, the National Trust invites everyone to explore our heritage and find out how we shaped Australia.

Locally the Horsham Library is guiding walking tours of the Old Section of the Horsham Cemetery. Two tours will be run, the first – the Daytime Tour – will be 12:30-2:30pm, the second – the Night time Tour will be 6:30-8:30pm. Both tours will be conducted on Saturday 20th April 2013.

The two tours will concentrate on the Old Section of the cemetery, where the tour guide will highlight various headstones and graves depicting local community milestones of historical events and local identities. 
The purpose of the tour is to promote the appreciation of the role of cemeteries and cemetery research in compiling family research and knowledge of local history.

Entry is via the Pioneers Entrance in Kalkee Road, with parking near the Cemetery Trust Office. Refreshments will be available after each tour.

Attendees will need to wear suitable clothes for the weather and enclosed comfortable footwear. 
Also those on the Night time Tour will need to bring a torch or lantern.

Bookings are essential for both tours, and will be taken at the Horsham Branch Library in the Mibus Centre, 28 McLachlan Street in Horsham (Phone 03 5382 5707, email horsham.library@wrlc.org.au). 
Attendees are required to complete a Cemetery Tour Agreement form prior to undertaking the tour.

So remember to keep Saturday 20^th April 2013 clear for either of the “Milestones & Headstones” cemetery walking tours, part of the National Trust Heritage Festival.

Horsham Heritage

Alleyway with the ubiquitous supermarket trolley

Twenty-one walkers and three guides tramped up and down the lanes of Horsham on the weekend. Locals and visitors, from as far away as Gippsland, heard stories of Horsham's history - the buildings those still standing and those demolished, and the historic record of the drains sewers and gutters.
They ventured up paved alleyways no-one realised existed - the Hidden Horsham. They heard stories of the characters and personalities who have populated and influenced the development of the facilities and utilities.
The Twilight Laneways Walk was part of the Wimmera National Trust's Heritage Festival.

Stick Shed open

The big drawcard of the Wimmera's Heritage Festival will be the Murtoa Stick Shed.
Based on the enthusiasm generated when it opened last year during the Big Weekend, there should be a crowd lined up at the site on Saturday 5th May from 10am to 4pm. No bookings are required, and it will only cost you $5 to enter.
So come armed with your camera to capture that magnificent cathedral like atmosphere.
Check out my other Stick Shed and  Heritage Festival posts for more information.

Hidden Horsham

Local Laneways Twilight Tour

Take a tour of Horsham's local laneways, buildings and their history through the eyes of the night-cart man.
Beginning at the Horsham Town Hall in Wilson Street, at 4pm on Saturday 5th May, the tour will follow the lanes which parallel Firebrace Street.
Returning to the Town Hall, light refreshments will be available at the conclusion of the tour.
The tour costs $5 per person, and bookings are essential, contact or visit the Horsham Library in McLachlan Street, on 53821777.

A centenial picnic

There are a number of local events scheduled for this year's National Trust Heritage Festival. The main weekend will be the 5th & 6th May.
On Sunday 6th is the Bus Tour of Glenwillan Historical Homestead at Wallup. Celebrating it's centenary this year, the historic "Glenwillan" homestead is a gracious double brick (55 square) Federation-style home situated on 10 hectares of natural native bushland. It has tiled verandahs on three sides, large rooms with open fireplaces, leadlight windows, ornate plaster ceilings and the original furniture. The homestead is surrounded by pleasant old fashioned gardens, and historic buildings, including the original large barn still in use for wool and grain storage, thatched straw stable and cellar.

"Glenwillan" was built in 1912 by Farquhar McRae on land originally cleared by his father Alexander and brothers Duncan and John in the 1880s. It is still owned and operated by the McRae family.
Attendees should take a BYO picnic lunch to enjoy at the grand 20 place dining table or in the grounds under the 100-year-old mulberry tree.
The bus tour departs from the Horsham Town Hall rear carpark at 11am returning at 3pm. The cost is $25 per person and bookings are essential phone 5382 7227 or email haven27@wimmera.com.au