ADHS Newsletter No. 194 JULY, 2001
Items of interest –
- Unveiling of (War service) Memorial Plaques at Amphitheatre 28 October 2001
- Concert program Avoca 1921. Names mentioned: Mesdames Downton, Osterberg, and Wrigley, Miss Samers, Messrs. Bevan, Mortimer, and Lalor, Mrs. Lalor, Messrs. Storrar, Thomas, Mrs. Dyer, Mrs. Wilkinson, Mr. Dunn, Mr. S. J. Bevan, Miss Golder, Mr. J. O’Donnell, Miss Phyllis Wise.
- Grant-McNeil wedding Redbank 1934. Names mentioned: Edward James Grant, Alex Grant, Elizabeth McNeil, Fr D’Arcy, Mr & Mrs J Meagher, Miss K Meagher, Mr T Smith, Mr Tom Smith, Mrs Cudmore.
- Obituary Miss Sarah Bailey (1934). Names mentioned: Mr & Mrs William Bailey, Rev Walter Elliott, Messrs. Geo. Evans, A. E. Fraser, Jas. Hamer, and A. B. Porter, Mr. H. F. Classen.
- Avoca residents who voted in the 1899 Referendum. Names listed: Kitchell Matthew, Kitchen John, Kitchen Frank, Knight Charles, Laing George T. La Roche Benjamin jnr., Lalor Alfred G., La Roche Charles, Lalor Vivian S, La Roche Henry, Lever Richard, Lambert Eli, Lewis John W., Lambert Thomas, Lewis Robert R, Lewis William, Lamont Alexander, Lindorff Carl, Lamont John Long James, Langdon Albert, Longstaff Joseph, Mcguiness Patrick H. , Mickle William, Mackereth Edwin H. , Mitchell William S. , Mcvicar Alexander, Molloy John T. , Magee John, Monks James, Marshall George H. , Moodie Robert jnr. , Marshall William Moodie Robert snr. , Martin Francis, Nash John, O’Donnell Michael, Opie John, O’Malley Patrick, Opie Solomon snr. , Onn John, Osborne John A. , Partridge Wilfred A. , Powell John T. , Paten Arthur F. , Powers John, Perrin Henri, Poynter Robert, Pinch George, Prentice George, Randell Edward, Reid John C. , Redpath Ernest E. , Resuggan John, Redpath George, Richter Henry, Redpath George W. , Ross John, Reed Henry, Ross William, Reed John, Reeves William.
July Meeting – Information Technology at “The Mill” – Our monthly meeting on Sunday, 15th July, was held at the new Information Technology Centre in Avoca, known as “The Mill” (because the site was once just that), situated at 122 High Street along with the Avoca Information Centre and the Avoca Library. The I.T. Centre caters for every need in this computer age including classes for beginners, personal use of a computer and the Internet, E-mail services, secretarial services, scanning and CD burning. The complex also includes two meeting rooms, which can be hired, one of which has video-conferencing facilities. The Centre, a Government initiative, is a great asset for the local community and is in the capable hands of Wendy Taylor, who arranged this informative and enjoyable afternoon for us. She was kept very busy answering the many questions put to her by those of us who still have much to learn in the field of computers. The art of scanning old photos created much interest.. There will be many examples of such photographs in the Federation Photographic Exhibition to be held at Lexton in October.
Our thanks to Wendy for arranging such an interesting afternoon, and sincere thanks also to both Max Hobson for chairing the meeting, and to Wendy who acted as minute secretary.
Next Meeting – Our next meeting will be held on Sunday, 19th August, at 1.30 p.m. at the Court House, when Stuart Mackereth will speak to us on the history of the Mackereth family. Edwin Mackereth migrated from England during the goldrush era, and settled on land west of Avoca where he set up a vineyard and quickly made a name for himself as a wine maker. His home at “Hedon Farm” still stands today. We look forward to an interesting afternoon.
Looking Ahead – Sunday, 16th September, guided walking tour of Dunolly.
Sunday, 21st October, visit to Lexton Public Hall to view the Federation Photographic Exhibition.
Sunday, 21st November, final meeting for the year, followed by a Christmassy afternoon tea.
Vote “Yes” on Census Night – On the night of Tuesday, 7th August, we will be required to complete a census form. On this occasion, for the first time, we will be asked, in Question 50, if we wish to have our personal details kept for posterity. You are urged to vote “Yes” to this question so that this data will be available for genealogical, historical and medical research by our descendants in 100 years time.
This census will cost a large amount of taxpayers’ funds so let’s not waste it! We all know the enormous value of the English census records in our family history research. Why should our descendants not have access to similar records in order to understand how we lived in 2001? It is said that there are more than 100,000 genealogists in Australia. If we can each influence ten others to vote “Yes”, surely we must make a difference and make this the first national census of Australia to survive for 173 years.
New Members – The Society extends a warm welcome to the following new members –
Mr. Terry COLLINS, of Drysdale, Vic., who is researching the COLLINS family.
Mr. Tom WOOLMAN, of Bendigo, Vic., whose interests are McVICAR, McNAB(B), GLOVER (of
Bung Bong), and HOY.
Vale John Abbott – For many years, John Tucker ABBOTT, of Bedford, Massachusetts, USA, has been a member of this Society. We have now been advised that John passed away on March 23rd, aged 86 years, the funeral taking place on 27th March, at the Pine Hill Cemetery, Dover, New Hampshire, USA. Mrs. Anne Abbott, John’s widow, has sent us a very nice letter telling of the pleasure our monthly newsletters have given them over the years and enclosing an obituary from the Bedford Minuteman. This gives quite a genealogical family background and tells of John’s schooling, sporting activities, his working life and many interests. These very varied interests included being a member of the Bedford Historical Commission; past president of the Bedford Historical Society; a member of the Public Library Building Expansion Committee and being active in numerous genealogical and historical societies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He was accepted as a certified genealogist by the American College of Genealogists, and was the author of numerous historical and genealogical papers. The Society extends deepest sympathy to Mrs. Abbott and the family on the passing of a very special man.
Congratulations – We extend congratulations to John Tully, of Dunolly, who has received a notable commendation at the Victorian Community History Awards 2001 for his book, A Difficult Case, which is the biography of a Chinese miner from Bealiba.
The awards, which are for books on Victorian history, are co-ordinated by Information Victoria and are judged by a group of representatives from the Royal Historical Society of Victoria.
The late Dr. Ruth Moore co-authoured the book with John, but sadly serious ill-health, which led to her untimely death, intervened and prevented her seeing the completion of this project.
Memorial Plaques at Amphitheatre – The unveiling of the memorial plaques for the district’s men who served in the 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 wars will take place at the Amphitheatre Public Hall on Sunday, 28th October, 2001, at 2 p.m. For more information, contact Mary Dridan, Bailey Street, Amphitheatre, or phone (03) 5466 2252.
Pioneer Register of Mildura District – The Mildura and District Genealogical Society Inc. is compiling a Pioneer Register of the families who lived in the Sunraysia area prior to 1900. If you can assist with this project, please contact the Society at Post Office Box 2895, Mildura, 3502, to obtain the necessary form on which to record your ancestor’s details.
Project Abandoned – In our newsletter No. 189, of February, 2001, mention was made of a project by Rosie Ritchie, of West Sussex, to compile information on emigrants from Sussex to the Port Phillip District of Victoria. Ms Ritchie now advises that she has abandoned this project because of lack of response.
Can You Help to identify those buried in the Buckland Cemetery near Bright, Victoria? Bushfires and a fire in the Council Chambers have destroyed the records. Copies of relevant death certificates would be appreciated by fredvines@batesmansbay.com
Help is needed by Trevor Lynch, Unit 10, Hammett Court, Henry Drive, Singleton, NSW 2330
(phone (02) 6573 1465), who is compiling a history of personnel connected with the Nambucca
Valley who served in the AMF during World War I.
(These last three items were taken from the Newcastle Family History Society Inc., Bulletin No. 151,
May-June, 2001. Ed.)
Programme of Concert at Avoca in 1921 –
S H I R E H A L L, A V O C A
TUESDAY, 19th JULY, 1921
___________________________________
P O P U L A R C O N C E R T
____________________________________
Proceeds to be used in defraying initial
expenses of “Back to Avoca” Week
P R O G R A M M E
1st Part
Overture … … … … … … … ORCHESTRA
Double Quartette “Who will o’er the Downs” MIXED QUARTETTE PARTY
Recitation … … … … … … … MISS DORIS ANDREWS
Song (Humorous) … … … … … … MR. EB. REID
Soprano Solo … Gounod’s “Serenade” … … MRS. DYER
Violin Solos … … [“Because” (Goddard) ] … MRS. WILKINSON, Mus.
[“Mazurka” (Wieniawski) ] Assoc. Melb. University
Duet Humorous … “That Dear Old House of Mine” … MISSES DOWNTON and
OSTERBERG.
Male Quartette … “Lucky Jim” … MESSRS. STORRAR, THOMAS, BEVAN, & LALOR
Song (Selected) … … … … … … MISS PHYLLIS WISE
Novelty … … … “Irene” … … … FUN and FLUFF COMPANY
Song (Illustrated) … … “The Swallows” … … MRS. LALOR
I N T E R V A L –
Overture … … … … … … … ORCHESTRA
Male Quartette … “Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep” MESSRS. STORRAR, THOMAS,
BEVAN and LALOR Soprano Solo … “Annie Laurie” … … … MRS. DYER
Violin Solo … … “Romance” Ries … … MRS. WILKINSON, Mus.
Assoc. Melb. University
Tenor Solo (Selected) … … … … … … MR. DUNN
Double Quartette … “Parting and Meeting” … MIXED QUARTETTE PARTY
Song (Selected) … … … … … … … MISS PHYLLIS WISE
Something Catchy … “Oh! Mother I’m Wild” … … THE BROADWAY SEVEN
Bass Solo (Illustrated) … “The Mighty Deep” … … MR. S. J. BEVAN
To Conclude with the latest American Novelty,
“Her Second Time on Earth.”
Characters
MRS. JASPER NAGUS … … … … … … MISS GOLDER
JASPER NAGUS … … … … … … … MR. J. O’DONNELL
THE AVOCA TOWN BAND
Will render Selections Before the Concert Opens
Overture 8 p.m. Admission, 2/- and 1/- including Tax. Moonlight!
Concert Committee : MESDAMES DOWNTON, OSTERBERG, and WRIGLEY,
MISS SAMERS, MESSRS. BEVAN, MORTIMER, and LALOR
Free Press Print, Avoca
(My thanks to Stuart Mackereth who has given an original of this programme to the Society. Ed.)
WEDDING AT REDBANK – GRANT – McNEIL
(From “The Avoca Free Press and Farmers’ Journal”, Saturday, 29th September, 1934)
“A very pretty wedding was celebrated on Wednesday last, 26th September, in the Redbank Roman Catholic Church, when Mr. Edward James Grant, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Grant, of Redbank, was married to Miss Elizabeth McNeil, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John McNeil, of Dunluce. The impressive and beautiful service was conducted, and the marriage ceremony performed by the Rev. Father D’Arcy. The church had been tastefully decorated by friends of the bride. Mrs. G. Sheales was at the organ, and the soloist was Mrs. J. Meagher, who rendered “O, Sacred Heart” and “Ave Maria”. The bride entered the church on the arm of her father and attended by Miss K. Meagher, bridesmaid. The best man was Mr. T. Smith.
“The wedding breakfast at the Shamrock Hotel was presided over by Rev. Father D’Arcy. A large number of congratulatory telegrams were read by the best man (Mr. T. Smith). Father D’Arcy then proposed the toast, health and happiness to the bride and bridegroom, to which the bridegroom responded, and in doing so proposed the health of the bridesmaid (Miss Meagher). Mr. Smith replied for the bridesmaid. Mr. J. Meagher proposed “The Parents of the Bridegroom”, and Mr. Alex. Grant replied. Then the health of “The Parents of the Bride” was proposed by the Rev. Father D’Arcy, and Mr. McNeil responded. Next was the toast “The Host and Hostess” (Mr. Con Smith and Mrs. Cudmore) to which Mr. Smith replied, and in turn proposed the health of Father D’Arcy, to which the reverend gentleman responded.
“At this stage the ceremony of cutting the cake was carried out by the bride. The wedding cake, a dainty two-tier confection, was made by Mrs. Cudmore, aunt of the bride, and was very much admired. The bride’s beautiful frock was of bois-de-rose lace over satin, with a smart train, and hat to match. She carried a sheaf bouquet of pink carnations and maiden-hair fern. Miss Meagher (bridesmaid) wore a charming frock of floral georgette in blue tonings, and fawn hat. Her bouquet was designed to match her frock.
“The bride travelled in a fawn two-piece suit, brown hat, and nigger brown coat with fur trimmings. The happy young couple left by car for their honeymoon tour, having the best wishes of a host of friends.
“Mr. and Mrs. White are to be congratulated on the excellence of the catering and service for the breakfast.
“On Friday evening, 5th October, a social will be held to welcome home the newly-married pair, and to make a presentation to them from the people of Redbank.”
OBITUARY – MISS SARAH BAILEY (From the same paper of 29th September, 1934)
“Deep regret was expressed when the sad news became known that Miss Sarah Bailey, a highly respected resident of Avoca, had passed away at the Maryborough Hospital on Tuesday evening, at the age of 63 years.
“The deceased lady was a native of Avoca, being a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Bailey, who were pioneer residents. She was a devoted worker for the Avoca Presbyterian Church, and will be greatly missed by her numerous friends.
“The deepest sympathy is felt for the sorrowing relatives in their sad bereavement. The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon, when the remains were interred in the Avoca Cemetery. Rev. Walter Elliott officiated at the grave. The coffin-bearers were Messrs. Geo. Evans, A. E. Fraser, Jas. Hamer, and A. B. Porter.
“Mr. H. F. Classen carried out the funeral arrangements.”
ADVERTISEMENT (from the same paper of 29th September, 1934)
“Robt. Moreland (late of Avoca) announces that he is catering for Bandsmen and Supporters on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at St. Arnaud Town Hall. Tea from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Price 2/-. An excellent repast provided.”
FEDERATION – We continue the listing of names of residents of AVOCA, shown on the Electoral Roll, who voted at the Victorian Federal Referendum in 1899 :-
KITCHELL, Matthew Miner KITCHEN John Painter
KITCHEN Frank Painter KNIGHT Charles Carter
(Barnett Street)
LAING George T. Turner LA ROCHE Benjamin jnr. Fruiterer
LALOR Alfred G. Chemist LA ROCHE Charles Labourer
LALOR Vivian S. Chemist’s LA ROCHE Henry Tinsmith
(High Street) Assistant LEVER Richard Compositor
LAMBERT Eli Farmer LEWIS John W. Publican
LAMBERT Thomas Grocer LEWIS Robert R. Miner
(High Street) LEWIS William Carter
LAMONT Alexander Farmer LINDORFF Carl Miner
LAMONT John Wheelwright LONG James Miner
LANGDON Albert Blacksmith (No. 1 Creek)
LONGSTAFF Joseph Accountant
McGUINESS Patrick H. Railway Ganger MICKLE William Hairdresser
MACKERETH Edwin H. Farmer MITCHELL William S.
McVICAR Alexander Dealer (High Street)
MOLLOY John T. Clerk
MAGEE John Gardener MONKS James Constable
MARSHALL George H. Miner MOODIE Robert jnr. Butcher
MARSHALL William Miner MOODIE Robert snr. Miner
MARTIN Francis Storekeeper (No. 1 Creek)
NASH John Labourer
O’DONNELL Michael Inspector OPIE John Bootmaker
O’MALLEY Patrick Painter OPIE Solomon snr. Mason
ONN John Miner OSBORNE John A. Clergyman
(No. 1 Creek)
PARTRIDGE Wilfred A. Miner POWELL John T. Labourer
(Avoca Lead) (Barnett Street)
PATEN Arthur F. Publisher POWERS John Baker
PERRIN Henri Mechanic POYNTER Robert Draper
PINCH George Grazier PRENTICE George Labourer
(High Street)
RANDELL Edward Labourer REID John C. Farmer
REDPATH Ernest E. Miner RESUGGAN John Agent
REDPATH George Miner RICHTER Henry Bark Miller
REDPATH George W. Compositor ROSS John Shire Secretary
REED Henry Wheelwright ROSS William Farmer
REED John Farmer (Big Waterhole)
REEVES William Farmer
(No. 1 Creek) (To be continued)