ADHS Newsletter No. 189 FEBRUARY, 2001
Items of interest:
- Seeking photographs of High Street, Avoca, c 1900.
- Old-style sports day, Lexton, Saturday 24 March 2001
- 1931 sports reports. Names mentioned – (Tennis) Misses D. Argall and N. Burge, Mrs. Pitcher and Miss E. Bannister, C. Grant and F. Fiscalini, A. T. Bannister and F. Collins, Misses M. Meagher and J. Horwill, Mrs. Barry and Miss Fitzgerald, V. Costelow and G. Smith, J. Hardy and A. W. Bannister, Mrs. Pitcher, H. Powers and H. Bartlett, R. Mills and E. Mills, Misses E. and D. Brown, Misses J. Jardine and M. Crothers, J. L. Powers and E. G. Howell, N. Ross and F. Rye, Mrs. Resuggan and Mrs. Kaye, Miss C. Ross, Mrs. McArdle, H. Bartlett and H. Powers, Mrs. Resuggan and Mrs. Kaye, Misses J. Jardine and M. Crothers. (Rifle shooting) A. G. Lalor, F. O. Wiltshire, R. Summers, E. Kitchell, E. Summers, I. Golder, A. Wallace, T. Mitchell, T. Henderson, Mr. W. J. Robinson. Mr. A. Astbury. (Sunday School picnics ) Messrs. W. Castleman, H. Harbour, H. Punton, M. T. Dawson, G. L. Ross and E. Reid, Messrs. C. Ford and G. L. Ross. Rev. F. C. Boundy, E. Willan , W. Dawson, W. Rodwell, Gwen Kitchell, Ian Dawson, Albert Rodwell, Jack Forte. G. Harvey, C. Bowen, O. Harris. L. Brown, G. Bevan, A. Porter . Ruth Boundy, M. Burns, Lily Rodwell. Winnie Pora, Gwen Forte, Dorothy Anderson. Edna Bowen, Evelyn Ross, Eileen Summers. Flora Dawson, Doris Bowen, Dora Bevan. Tom Brown and Roy Rodwell, W. Resuggan and C. Bowen. Ethel Pitcher and Lily Rodwell, Winnie Pora and G. Forte. O. Harris. Myrtle Ross and Elsie Wolfe. E. Field, Andy O’Day. Alice Field, Sylvia Jolly. Marion Burns, Evelyn Ross. Mr Robinson. June Latch, Betty Charlesworth. Helen Storrar, Harold French. Ian Mill, Roy French. D. Powers, G. Whitley. Nancy Henderson, Jean Powers. G. Whitley. Edna Wardlaw. I. Golder and Vic. Charlesworth. J. and H. French. E. and S. Field. K. Latch. Jean Henderson. Jack Henderson and Rita Fraser. S. Powers. Jean Henderson. V. Charlesworth. Mr. Iles Golder, Messrs. R. Reeves and T. Henderson, Messrs. M. Martin, Mr. W. Brereton, Messrs. J. L. Powers, M. Martin and T. Marshall.
Garage Sale A Great Success – The Society began its year’s activities with a very successful Garage Sale held at the Court House on Saturday, 17th February, when close on $1,000 was raised. Unlike recent years when extremely hot weather prevailed, the weather was kinder this time, giving us a pleasant summer’s day with a welcome breeze. Keen buyers arrived very early to snap up the many bargains and a steady trade was maintained throughout the day. Such a successful event is due to the input from many folk, those who donated goods and those who bought them, those who sorted and priced the goods and set up the Court House in readiness, those who cooked and supplied goods for the produce stall, those who provided and served refreshments and washed the dishes and those who helped in various other ways – our sincere thanks to you all for your support of this, our main fund-raiser each year. We extend special thanks to President Graeme Mills for his assistance, especially for supplying and erecting the large tarpaulin at the side of the Court House, and also to Margaret and Harry Oulton, who again collected and conveyed goods for the sale from Melbourne to Avoca.
Next Meeting Day – A bus trip has been organised for Sunday, 18th March, departing from the Court House at 9 am. The highlight of the day will be a visit to the Mooramong Homestead at Skipton in the afternoon. This is now a National Trust property and has an interesting history. It was once owned by a Mr. McKinnon who married an American actress and had the home modernised for her in the 1920-1930s period. The 3,000 acre property is self-supporting, and runs sheep.
At this point in time, our President is busy organising the rest of the day but be assured there are some delights in store for you on this ‘mystery tour’ in the Beaufort area. It is suggested that those attending should take a picnic lunch. If you would like to be part of this excursion, please contact our Secretary, Wendy Taylor, on 54 677 228, or by e-mail, as soon as possible, as there are only a few seats left on the bus.
Change of Date For Our April Meeting – Because of Easter Sunday falling on our normal meeting day in April, it has been decided that the meeting will be held the following Sunday, the 22nd, at the Court House.
Annual General Meeting – This will be held on Sunday, 20th May, and will follow our usual custom of a luncheon at the Wesley Hall at Avoca prior to the meeting and guest speaker. More details later.
Christmas Break-up in November – It was unanimously agreed at our February meeting that, in future, the Society will wind up its year’s activities at the November meeting, with a festive afternoon tea and the usual exchange of small gifts to mark the occasion.
The Society warmly welcomes the following new members –
Ms Leonora CURNICK, of Moonee Ponds, Vic., who is researching the CURNICK family.
Nance KENNEDY, of Heidelberg, Vic., whose interests are KEARNEY and O’DONNELL.
Donation – The Society sincerely thanks Ray Richards, of New Zealand, for his generous donation to the Court House Restoration Fund.
Our Federation Project – To mark this centenary year of Federation, the Society has decided to compile a collection of photographs of High Street, Avoca, as it appeared circa 1900, and as it looks today. To assist us with this project, we are seeking old postcards and photographs of the main street of 100 years ago. We are grateful to those who have already responded to this request and look forward, with anticipation, to receiving more gems of a by-gone era in Avoca.
Federation Celebrations at Lexton – An interesting day is planned at Lexton for Saturday, 24th March, with the re-creation of old-style entertainment in the form of an old-style Sports Day, commencing at 1 p.m. at the Lexton Recreation Ground, an old-style Flower and Vegetable Show, commencing at 2 p.m. in the Club Rooms of the Lexton Football Club, and an old-style Vaudeville Concert, commencing at 8 p.m. in the Lexton Public Hall. For more details, see our January Newsletter No. 188 or contact Margaret Oulton on 9596 2500.
Back To Waanyarra – The Families and Friends of Waanyarra Group are planning a Back-To-
Waanyarra for Sunday, 25th March, at the Bicycle Rest Area on the Cemetery Road, Waanyarra.
This relaxed and informal day begins about 9 am for early birds, who may have stayed overnight in the district. A large marquee will provide shelter and somewhere to display photos and family trees, etc., a roving microphone and public address system should keep lines of communication open, and portable toilet facilities will be provided. Entertainment will be given by the Dunolly Show Band, the Waanyarra Gold Nugget raffle will be conducted and drawn and a Lucky Draw prize of a hamper of goodies will also be drawn (this is like a Door Prize). Of special interest this year is Hannah Malone, a beautiful doll, dressed as a young working laundress of the gold rush era. Standing some 700 mm tall, Hannah comes complete with her life story, and will go home with the lucky winner of a raffle or bidder at auction (this is yet to be decided). Those attending are asked to bring everything they need for the day with them. Enquiries should be directed to Ken Morton, phone 5629 1094, or e-mail kenroz@nex.net.au
Can You Help? The Hurstville Family History Society, P.O. Box 331, Hurstville Business Centre, NSW 1481, would appreciate details of people buried in the graveyard of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Kogarah, NSW, between 1869-1906.
Rosie Ritchie, The Tree House, Otard House, Selsey, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 OD, England, seeks details of emigrants from Sussex to the Port Phillip District/Victoria. Her intention is to publish a biographical work.
Margaret Rowe-Keys, of 39 Shady Grove, Nunawading, Vic. 3131 (phone (03) 9884 8996 or e-mail rowekeys@hug.com.au) would appreciate information on the people who came on the immigrant ship Wilhelmsburg which arrived in Port Phillip on 24th August, 1854. Information will be acknowledged.
Jemma Ussher, P.O. Box 1126, Southport, Qld. 4215, is researching all of the surname USHER/USSHER who came to the Southern Hemisphere and has traced back to the Norman Conquest.
(The above four snippets are from Bulletin No. 149 of the Newcastle Family History Society Inc.)
Yorkshire Family History Fair – If you are planning a visit to Britain in the coming months, you might be interested in attending the 6th Yorkshire Family History Fair. This will be held on Saturday, 23rd June, 2001, at the York Racecourse (Knavesmire Exhibition Centre) from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Admission is £2.00, with free car parking and cafeteria facilities. Further details can be obtained from Mr. A. Sampson, 1 Oxgang Close, Redcar, Cleveland TS10 4ND, England, phone (01642) 486615.
Newman Name Society – The Newman Name Society was officially started in England seven years ago and is open to anyone with an interest in any aspect of the Newman name, whether through lineage or otherwise. The Society produces four newsletters per year, plus a current copy of the Newman Genealogical Register. Membership is $12. Mrs. Sandra Beckett, P.O. Box 181, Hastings, Vic. 3915, is the Australian Subscription Officer and cheques should be made out to the Newman Name Society. The contact in England is Roberta L. Newman, 6 Knights Close, Cliff Estate, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 9NU, England, e-mail Roberta.newman@virgin.net
(The above two items were also found in Bulletin 149 of the Newcastle Family History Society Inc.)
Public Record Office Victoria – The Public Record Office Victoria has completed the enormous task of relocating from Laverton to its new home in North Melbourne, where our valuable records are now housed in ideal conditions with 24-hour temperature and humidity controls. In just over four months, the Repository and Relocation staff have moved over 70 kilometres of records!! And it was done with as little inconvenience as possible to researchers. Now, all records are again available.
For all research in Melbourne, you must first visit or contact the Melbourne Archives Centre (MAC), Level 2, Casselden Place, 2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne (corner Spring and Lonsdale Streets), phone (03) 9285 7999, toll free 1800 657 452 (for outside the Melbourne metropolitan area), fax (03) 9285 7953, or e-mail ask.prov@dpc.vic.gov.au
Records which can be ordered for viewing at the MAC include those most often used by family researchers, such as inquests, wills and probates, land files and education records. For preservation reasons, some records can only be viewed at the Victoria Archives building in North Melbourne. But you must order the records first and arrange your visit through the MAC.
Researchers with Internet access are advised to check the What’s New and Indexes page of the PRO web site at http://www.prov.vic.gov.au
An Aid for Research – Researchers will be aware that when attending search rooms, voluminous files and bulky folders are not welcome. This is where ‘My Family History Note Book’ can be most useful for jotting down your ‘finds’. We have been advised that such a book is available from ‘Fashtasia’, 3 Barkly Street, Talbot, Vic. 3371, for $9.50 each, including postage. It will help you organise your research, with allowance for forty families, and is spiral-bound and a handy pocket/purse size. Payment options are by cheque or money order. Enquiries can be made by phone (03) 5463 2309 or e-mail fashtasa@iprimus.com.au
Abbreviations in Old Documents – The following is a list of old words and abbreviations and their meanings which may come in handy when reading old documents –
a.a.s. died in the year of his/her age (anno aetitis suae) (86 y/o died in year 86)
d.s.p. died without issue (decessit sine prole)
d.s.p.l. died without legitimate issue (decessit sine prole legitima)
d.s.p.m.s. died without surviving male issue (decessit sine prole mascula supersita)
d.s.p.s. died without surviving issue (decessit sine prole supersita)
(Part of a list published in the January 2001 Journal of the Bundaberg Genealogical Assocn. Inc.)
Snippets From The Past – Sports Reports (From the Avoca Free Press and Farmers’ Journal, Wednesday, December 2, 1931)
Tennis – Moonambel v. Redbank
An enjoyable afternoon was spent between the Moonambel and Redbank teams on Saturday on the Moonambel court, the home team winning. Following are the details, the visitors’ names appearing first:-
Misses D. Argall and N. Burge lost to Mrs. Pitcher and Miss E. Bannister, 6-2.
C. Grant and F. Fiscalini beat A. T. Bannister and F. Collins, 9-7.
Misses M. Meagher and J. Horwill beat Mrs. Barry and Miss Fitzgerald, 6-1.
V. Costelow and G. Smith lost to J. Hardy and A. W. Bannister, 5-9.
Misses D. Argall and N. Burge beat Mrs. Barry and Miss Fitzgerald, 6-5.
Misses M. Meagher and J. Horwill lost to Mrs. Pitcher and Miss E. Bannister, 6-2.
V. Costelow and G. Smith lost to A. T. Bannister and F. Collins, 9-4.
C. Grant and F. Fiscalini beat A. W. Bannister and J. Hardy, 9-6.
Totals:- Moonambel, 4 sets 49 games; Redbank, 4 sets 48 games.
Tennis – Natte Yallock Association – Methodist v. Natte Yallock
H. Powers and H. Bartlett beat R. Mills and E. Mills, 9-8.
Misses E. and D. Brown beat Misses J. Jardine and M. Crothers, 6-1.
J. L. Powers and E. G. Howell lost to N. Ross and F. Rye, 5-9.
Mrs. Resuggan and Mrs. Kaye beat Miss C. Ross and Mrs. McArdle, 6-0..
H. Bartlett and H. Powers lost to N. Ross and F. Rye, 5-9.
Misses E. and D. Brown beat Miss C. Ross and Mrs. McArdle, 6-3.
Mrs. Resuggan and Mrs. Kaye lost to Misses J. Jardine and M. Crothers, 3-6.
J. L. Powers and E. G. Howell beat R. Mills and E. Mills, 9-5.
Totals:- Methodist, 5 sets 52 games; Natte Yallock, 3 sets 41 games.
Rifle Shooting – Avoca Club
A large number of members of the local rifle club competed in the handicap, 10 shots at 300 yards, on Saturday last. Four marksmen scored 50, including handicap, and A. G. Lalor won on the count back. Following are the details:-
300 hcp total
A. G. Lalor 47 3 50
F. O. Wiltshire 48 4 50
R. Summers 48 4 50
E. Kitchell 45 5 50
E. Summers 43 6 49
I. Golder 44 4 48
A. Wallace 40 8 48
T. Mitchell 43 4 47
T. Henderson 43 4 47
In the competition which is proceeding, points were gained by :- A. G. Lalor, 3½; F. O. Wiltshire, 3½; R. Summers, 3½; E. Kitchell, 3½; E. Summers, 1.
Next Saturday a Spoon shoot will be held, 7 shots at 300 and 600 yards, Spoon donated by Mr. W. J. Robinson.
Wood Chop Starter and Supervisor – Mr. A. Astbury, of Avoca, has been appointed starter and supervisor of the wood chops to be held at Maryborough on Saturday, 2nd January (in connection with the Second Day Sports at New Year).
Snippets From The Past (contd.) – (From The Avoca Free Press and Farmers’ Journal, Wednesday, 2nd December, 1931) –
Sunday School Picnics – Methodist
The Methodist Sunday School picnic was in the Royal Gardens on Saturday. Messrs. W. Castleman, H. Harbour, H. Punton, M. T. Dawson, G. L. Ross and E. Reid had charge of the races. Messrs. C. Ford and G. L. Ross did the carting. Rev. F. C. Boundy was an active worker. Results:-
Junior boys – E. Willan l, W. Dawson 2, W. Rodwell 3.
Kindergarten girls – Gwen Kitchell 1.
Kindergarten boys – Ian Dawson 1, Albert Rodwell 2, Jack Forte 3.
Intermediate boys – G. Harvey 1, C. Bowen 2, O. Harris 3.
Senior boys – L. Brown 1, G. Bevan 2, A. Porter 3.
Junior girls – Ruth Boundy 1, M. Burns 2, Lily Rodwell 3.
Mrs. Beavis’ class (girls) – Winnie Pora 1, Gwen Forte 2, Dorothy Anderson 3.
Intermediate girls – Edna Bowen 1, Evelyn Ross 2, Eileen Summers 3.
Senior girls – Flora Dawson 1, Doris Bowen 2, Dora Bevan 3.
Boys’ siamese race – Tom Brown and Roy Rodwell 1, W. Resuggan and C. Bowen 2.
Girls’ siamese race – Ethel Pitcher and Lily Rodwell 1, Winnie Pora and G. Forte 2.
Boys’ boot jumble – Tom Brown 1, Roy Rodwell 2, O. Harris 3.
Girls’ siamese race – Myrtle Ross and Elsie Wolfe 1.
Visitors’ race – E. Field 1, Andy O’Day 2.
Young ladies’ race – Alice Field 1, Sylvia Jolly 2.
Girls’ skipping competition – Marion Burns 1, Evelyn Ross 2.
Presbyterian – There was a large attendance at the Presbyterian annual Sunday School picnic. Rev. F. Robinson welcomed visitors and friends, and hoped everybody would spend an enjoyable afternoon. Mr Robinson commended the Sunday School teachers for their excellent work throughout the year. He also thanked the parents and others for donating provisions and trophies for the picnic, and praised the ladies and gentlemen who assisted in making the picnic a success.
Following are the results of events –
Miss M. Powers’ class – June Latch 1, Betty Charlesworth 2.
Miss Henderson’s class – Helen Storrar 1, Harold French 2.
Mr. R. Reeves’ class – Ian Mill 1, Roy French 2.
Mr. I. Golder’s class – D. Powers 1, G. Whitley 2.
Miss Robinson’s class – Nancy Henderson 1, Jean Powers 2.
Junior Fellowship race – G. Whitley 1.
Consolation race – Edna Wardlaw 1.
Wheelbarrow race – I. Golder and Vic. Charlesworth 1.
Siamese race (girls) – J. and H. French 1.
Siamese race (boys) – E. and S. Field 1.
Egg and spoon race (girls) – K. Latch 1.
Ladies’ race – Jean Henderson 1.
Thread the needle race – Jack Henderson and Rita Fraser 1.
Egg and spoon race (boys) – S. Powers 1.
Teachers’ race – Jean Henderson 1.
Men’s race – V. Charlesworth 1.
Mr. Iles Golder officiated as starter, and all events were well contested. Several heats were run in most of the races. Messrs. R. Reeves and T. Henderson were handicappers, and Messrs. M. Martin and T. Marshall officiated as judges. Mr. W. Brereton loaned his horse and lorry for conveying material and provisions to the ground. Messrs. J. L. Powers, M. Martin and T. Marshall attended to the cartage.