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NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2000 PARKS VICTORIA SIGN At last, the
long awaited sign is in position at the courthouse. The first effort was
rejected as it was felt that it was badly designed and most importantly did not
have on it the Parks Victoria logo that had been requested. Those who have seen
this second one agree that it acceptable and we are grateful to the powers that
be at Parks Victoria who have been most accommodating to the unavoidable delays
that have occurred. ACQUISITIONS At the last
meeting several acquisitions were accepted with thanks. A very valuable donation
was received in the form of a computer that Bev and John Foreman from the
Railway Hotel. Although an older type it has been readied for use by Liz Coady
and is already doing its job of recording newspaper references. Also received
were a full set of photocopied ”Newstead News”, a map of’ this area
showing aboriginal names, a school project on the Mill house, a copy of part of
”Victoria & its Metropolis Past and Present”, a souvenir of the opening
of St Mary’s hall and old photos of the butcher’s shop. Thanks to Malcolm
Crick, Grace McCaughy, Myfanwy Lavie, Jon Butler and Janet Trudgeon. WHITE ANTS An infested
area near a doorframe on the magistrate’s bench area has been discovered and
we are in the process of getting advice and considering our next action. EXCURSION Last month’s
excursion was conducted under severe weather conditions and the area of mining
activity that was found, was considered not to be the mines we were searching
for – the Nuggetty and the South Nuggetty in the Muckleford forest. So we are
going to try again! Next Monday July 10 we leave from the courthouse at 1.30 pm.
Please come. CALENDAR July 10 1.30 pm
Excursion to the Nuggetty mines July 17 1.30 pm
July meeting FROM LIZ In the search
for further clues to the history of early Newstead, and at the invitation of
Alec Millar, Dawn and I sallied forth recently to examine other aspects of our
waterless Lake Cairn Curran. Alec had phoned in the morning to suggest that the
weather forecast was less than auspicious, but how could we let the weather
worry us? We left Alec’s property and walked south, down towards the river
with Park Hill to our left. Our destination was the remains of a very
substantial bridge across the Loddon just below Park Hill and another smaller
one a little further on across what had once been a creek. It would be great if
anyone could share stories about these bridges, perhaps giving a few clues for
further investigation. We returned to
Alec’s property and, after a cuppa, Dawn and 1 continued the adventure down at
what we believe to be Mingus’ Crossing. Max Butler had given us permission to
go on to his land but suggested that it would be better (and perhaps safer) to
enter from the north side of the river. Needless to say around this time the sky
began to look a little ominous and it wasn’t long after we waded (in our gum-
boots) across a shallow stony area that it began to rain. Soon we were heading
into a (short-lived, thank goodness) barrage of hail, but, in the true spirit of
the pioneers, we carried on. Dawn had realised that we were following the
fence-line that shows on the Parish Plan. Soon after she located the junction of
Mingus’ Crossing Road with the two forks that head towards the river and we
headed back along the left arm. In the meantime, I was holding up a copy,
fortunately plastic-coated, of Bradfield’s NEWSTEAD, trying to identify the
direction of the hills behind the Newstead Hotel depicted on the front cover. By this time
we realised that, adventure or not sane people would be home by the fire. But,
when we forded the river once again, I discovered that it was going to be very
difficult for me to get up the muddy bank. In the end with much laughter and
heavy breathing, I crawled. What fun! Anyone who would like to come the next
time just put your name down at the Courthouse. Liz Coady
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©2004 Newstead & District Historical Society Web Design: Brian
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Page last updated: 20 December 2008