ADHS Newsletter No. 148, MAY, 1997
Items of interest –
- Death of Marty Hall of Maryborough
- New book James Hodgkinson and his life at Woodstock Station
- Microfiche: Index to Candidates for the Victorian Police, Part Three : 1852-1893
- President’s Report
Nearly thirty members attended our Annual General Meeting held on Sunday the 18th May at the Wesley Hall Avoca. President Jill Hunter welcomed all, in particular Shire President Robert Vance and his wife Jan, and guest speaker John Robb and his wife Jean. Among the apologies received were those of Lorna and Jack Purser. Lorna had an unfortunate fall the day before the meeting, resulting in a broken left arm. Needless to say she required assistance to undertake this Newsletter!
The President’s Report and audited Financial Statement are attached to this Newsletter for members’ perusal.
Guest speaker John Robb spoke of his experiences in establishing Chateau Remy in the 1960s. We hope to include a transcript of his most fascinating talk in a future Newsletter. Margaret Oulton proposed the vote of thanks and presented Mr. Robb with a small gift on behalf of the Society.
The election of office bearers then took place, and the following committee were elected:
President Graeme Mills
Vice-President Colleen Allan
Secretary Jill Hunter
Treasurer Dorothy Robinson
Asst. Secretary Wendy Taylor
Research Officer Jan Burnett
Newsletter Editor Lorna Purser
Publicity Officer Edna Jarvis
C.H.H.A. Reps. Edna Jarvis, Marj. Partridge, Graeme Mills
Harry Oulton moved, Margaret Hunter seconded, that the annual fees be raised by $2 to $14 a single and $17 a family membership. It was pointed out that expenses have increased substantially over the past few years, and the increased rate is necessary to cover those additional costs. The motion was carried unanimously.
Gary Presland proposed a vote of thanks to all concerned with the organisation and catering of the sumptuous luncheon, which was much enjoyed by all.
As an example of the research activities of the Society, Jan Burnett has compiled a breakdown of the requests she has dealt with in the past twelve months. There were 66 phone calls, 148
letters and 48 visitors, thus showing the popularity of family history research in our area.
A reminder that membership renewal is now overdue and prompt payment would be much appreciated. The renewal form was included in the April Newsletter. A reminder also, that prompt notification of change of address would assist our mailing system. Returned Newsletters are charged the full postal rate, thus creating unnecessary expense.
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We welcome the following new members and hope that membership will be mutually beneficial:
Michelle GILLI, of Lara, researching the RAYNER family.
Victor and Robin WILLIAMS, of Kangaroo Flat, researching land ownership and mining, and
the GRIFFITHS, DREW and CROSS families.
Don and Kerry THOMPSON, also of Kangaroo Flat, researching the DOHERTY family.
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The surroundings of the Court House are currently looking great. Many thanks are due to Herb Robinson, Graeme Mills and Harry Oulton for the contribution they have made in these improvements. We must also thank the Pyrenees Shire for the donation of soil and crushed blue metal for the paths.
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The Society has been saddened to learn of the death of Marty Hall of Maryborough. Born Martha Porteous, she grew up in the Wareek area, and remained a local girl for all of her 77 years. Alan and Marty have been members of our Society for many years and we have missed their happy presence at our meetings and functions in recent times, because of failing health. We extend deepest sympathy to husband Alan and the family.
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Member Rita Hull has advised us of a further publication she has recently released. Entitled James Hodgkinson and his life at Woodstock Station, it follows the trials and tribulations of James Hodgkinson, who ran this squatting station from 1840 until 1860, at times in conjunction with managing Lamplough Station. Written as a sequel to an earlier book, Henry Boucher Bowerman, an ambitious pioneer, this new book has 58 A4 size pages, an index, and is available at a cost of $10 including postage, from the author at Maiden Gully Road, Maiden Gully, 3551.
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Helen Harris OAM has kindly donated a copy of her microfiche Index to Candidates for the Victorian Police, Part Three : 1852-1893. This fiche continues on from her two previous indexes and covers two further series of police correspondence files, VPRS808 and VPRS 1199, held at the Public Record Office. It has over 500 entries, and is available from Harriland Press, P.O. Box 92, Forest Hill, 3131, at a cost of $8.50 including postage and packaging.
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We have been requested to compile a new Members’ Interests Directory, our last one being issued in 1994. We are seeking help from one of our members with computer skills, who would be willing to undertake this task.. A d BASE programme would be necessary in order to compile the Directory. Please contact our Secretary if you can help.
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New Publication: The South Rockhampton Cemetery is Rockhampton’s pioneer cemetery. This book contains almost 23,000 entries, covering the period 1859-1970. Available from Noel Woodhouse, 62 McKelligett Street, Rockhampton, Qld. 4700, at a cost of $30, plus $8.50 postage interstate.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
It is with much pleasure, although tinged with a little sadness, that I present my Annual Report, the thirteenth for the Society, and my final one as the Society’s President, as my three-year-term finished today. (Our Constitution states that a person can only hold the same executive position for three consecutive years.)
We have had many and varied speakers throughout the year, ranging from a surveyor, an archeologist, and an historian in the form of our very own Eulalie Driscoll, who told us the fascinating story of James Law, the discoverer of gold at Barkly in 1859. But I believe the two highlights of my three years as president have both occurred this year:
The installation of our badly-needed new roof. Thanks to Graeme Mills for
overseeing this project.
Our new picket fence, which not only looks wonderful, but has caused the
community at large to sit up and take note. Thanks again to Graeme, to Herb
and Dorothy Robinson and to my long-suffering husband Keith, for this last
project.
Hopefully these last two events will encourage some of the locals to come along on our Open Day on July 20th, and avail themselves of our extensive range of resources, which lie on their doorstep.
Another highlight, for me anyway, was the donation of a large collection of photographs, depicting the early days of Moonambel.
I must make mention that the past year did have its low point, when we mourned the loss of our Honorary Life Member, Elizabeth Mills. When her health denied her playing a more active role, Elizabeth quietly supplied us with delicious afternoon teas, and catered for our many working bees.
In closing, I must extend my grateful thanks to our joint secretaries of the last twelve months, Margaret and Harry Oulton. I say joint, because Harry has also played a major role, not only in the smooth operation of the tape recorder at each meeting, but also in his dealings, on behalf of the Society, with various government bodies.
Lorna Purser, our Newsletter Editor, needs a special mention, with her wonderful ability to thread words together to form our magnificent newsletter. We receive many accolades for Lorna’s efforts.
Of course there are all the unsung heroes, and I conclude this report by thanking each and everyone of you for your various contributions, no matter how small.
I wish the incoming committee all the best for the coming year. I am sure this Society will continue forging steadily ahead with its loyal band of workers.
JILLIAN M. HUNTER
President.
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