Locally for kids

It is not often that books are produced for children about the local area, but Bob Heddle has written three on the Mallee.
The trilogy about Zac and Ria and the Valemink family - 'The monster tower and the Gannawarra Goppo', 'The mischievous witch of Wychitella' and 'Chinkapook and the Manangatang mountain munyips' all take place in the Gannawarra area in the northern Mallee, where some of the strangest and wildest things in the world happen.

The books are aimed at the primary school 8+ age range, with a number of black-&-white and water-colour illustrations (also by Bob Heddle) scattered through the text.

Football 1912-2012

Recently the anniversary reunion was held for the descendants of Edenhope's 1912 football premiers.
In those early days players had no Saturday half-holiday and they had to beg the day off to compete. They rode wagons, bikes and horses to travel to matches, and when reaching the ground used to change behind trees as there were no dressing sheds.
The 1912 Grand Final was according to the press "the best game of football witnessed on the local ground for the season". The match was between Edenhope and Salt Lakes (Douglas). The final scores were - Edenhope 5 goals 13 behinds (43 points) to Salt Lakes 1 goal 12 behinds (18 points).
This was Edenhope's first ever premiership, they had had a team as far back as 1908. The presentation medals were awarded at a celebration at the Mechanics Institute in December. The president Mr S.H. Ramsden told how the football has been up to a high standard, the umpires satisfactory, and a creditable performance. He also said that while thanking those who were responsible for their success, they must not forget that indespensible portion - the barrackers.
Edenhope went on to win the 1913 and 1914 premierships, and after World War I the 1919 cup.
This year may also be Edenhope's premiership year too, as they are undefeated this season.

Back row: Jim Burns, Herbert Wynniat, Martin Cranage, Bill Burns, Bill Whittingham.
3rd row: Tom Robertson, Jack Ryan, Leo Kelly, Sam Burns, Henry Burns, Bert Robertson, Jim Robertson.
2nd row: Bill Bird, H.C. Carstairs, Charlie Whittingham, Jack Norris, Arthor Bird, Jack Marr.
Front row: Martin Ryan, Jack McDougall, Don Caldow (umpire), Alf Bird, Angus McDonald.

ANZAC Centenary

Between 2014 and 2018 Australia will commemorate the Anzac Centenary, marking 100 years since our involvement in the First World War. It will mark 100 years since the Gallipoli landings and major Western Front battles.  It will also recognise other significant military anniversaries throughout the last century.

The Anzac Centenary provides us with an opportunity to remember those who have fought and served in all wars, conflicts and peace operations in the past hundred years and especially remember the more than 100,000 who have given their lives in service.

 

The Australian Government will be providing $83.5 million over seven years to implement the Anzac Centenary Program 2014 – 2018.

There will be a package of commemorative events and initiatives is based on the recommendations of the National Commission and the Anzac Centenary Advisory Board.

Key elements of the program include:

• the refurbishment of the First World War galleries at the Australian War Memorial
• the refurbishment and maintenance of war graves in Australia and overseas
• funding for the running of commemorative services overseas during the Centenary;
• a local grants program to help communities carry out their own Anzac Centenary commemoration projects, with funding available from January 2013
• an Arts and Culture Fund to support individuals, artists and cultural institutions to develop commemorative displays and artistic creations showcasing our military history
• a multimedia education program, travelling exhibition or similar, that has broad community reach to help Australians learn more about our military history
• funding for the establishment of the Anzac Interpretive Centre at Albany in Western Australia, the departure point for many convoys

 If you wish to be involved in a local grants program to encourage community commemoration projects, check out the website for the Anzac Centenary - http://www.anzaccentenary.gov.au/

Longerenong in print

The book "Longerenong Homestead : 150 years and beyond : 1862-2012" was launched in Murtoa with an exhibition of art and photography by Susan Devlin.

The foundation stone

In 1844, the land was first settled by Dugald McPherson and William Taylor, and in 1848 subdivided into Ashens (McPherson) and Longerenong (Taylor), then in 1856 it was leased to the Wilson brothers (Alexander, Charles, John & Samuel) who had been in occupation. Various Wilsons held the property until 1874 when the licence was transferred to Austin & Bullivant. The pastoral licence was cancelled in 1884. Other families with long associations with Longerenong were the Delahuntys who bought the estate in 1924, it was then purchased by the Gregorys in 1920 who held it until 2002. Longerenong is currently owned by Donna Bourke and Ian Pausacker.

The stained glass above the staircase

It was Samuel Wilson who had the grand homestead built in 1862. There is Australian cedar throughout, a slate roof, marble floor tiles and fireplaces. The grand divided staircase of carved cedar is surmounted by a  stained glass skylight which has a coat of arms with the kangaroo and emu back-to-back.

The book covers both the Longernong homestead and pastoral run, as well as the township of Longerenong. It contains a variety of information about the homestead from the floor plan and diary excerpts, to flood & drought, and entries from Davey's Longerenong Store book. It is interesting to see photographs of the history of changes to homestead through the years (the earliest is from 1863).

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.

The 'Times' hits the headlines

I spoke earlier about the added value of the Australian Historical Newspapers project, now that they have added the Horsham Times, well I'm not the only one.

This email message was broadcast recently by the Collaborative Services Director at the National Library -

"It has been wonderful to see how Trove has raised the profile of heritage and contemporary collections held in Australia's cultural agencies and educational institutions.  Just last week, this blog http://mywdfamilies.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/alfred-winslow-harman-stepping-out-of-the-shadows/ shared a moving story about the value of Trove." 

On checking the blog post it refers to 'The Horsham Times', Warracknabeal, Murtoa, Rupanyup, and Hopetoun.

Women in the Year of the Farmer

Off to attend an author event in Robe on Sunday, meeting author Liz Harfull.
Liz is a rural journalist, freelance writer and editor, covering a range of issues from technical aspects of farm management practices and environmental management, to more general pieces about food and fibre production in Australia and overseas, and feature stories about life in the outback and rural identities. She began her career as a cadet journalist on a local newspaper, and later worked for The Advertiser  and Rural Press, winning a prestigious Dalgety Award for Excellence in Rural Journalism. She has had freelance stories and photography published in range of newspapers and magazines in Australia and overseas.

Her new book Women of the land is the inspiring and heart-warming stories of eight remarkable rural women who run their own farms, often juggling the demands of raising a family, they have overcome tragedy, personal fears, physical exhaustion and more than a little scepticism to build vibrant futures that sustain them and their families, in the process inspiring their neighbours and communities with their entrepreneurship, humility and determination. Each chapter explores the personal story of one woman and the people who have inspired her, the challenges she has faced as well as the humorous and heart-warming moments that have sustained her. The book also captures something of the rhythms and routines of daily life on their farms.
Liz will be at "The Whistling Fish Bookshop" in Robe at 2pm on April 8th.
Images from Liz's webpage http://www.lizharfull.com/