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NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER 2001 MARKET DAY Thank you for making our market such a success! We were
blessed by good weather and despite our usual concerns about how many traders
and buyers would turn up, the results were great. In anticipation of a smaller
return, paid advertising was cut down. A final figure has not been arrived at,
but we took over $1,000 compared with the usual amount of about $600. Plenty of
competent helpers were there and we were given a new batch of ’white
elephant’ articles that helped arouse interest and added to our total profit.
In thanks for our good fortune, we decided at our last meeting, to give $100 of
our profits to the refugees from the Afghanistan crisis. We hope that this meets
with your approval. The awning that John Neall had made from shadecloth worked
well and John is going to make another section to provide shade to the northern
area of the barbeque area that we use. We will also make another request to the
Rotunda Park committee for power points to be installed there instead of us
having to have leads running from the Rotunda. Winner of the Christmas hamper
raffle was Steve Cheers, granddaughter of members John and Patricia Ewing. The
two Christmas decorations made and donated by May Thornbury were won by our
worthy president Alan Burgess and ”Dot and Arn”! The lucky stall- holder who
won the fruitcake was Hailey and family. FAMILY HISTORY EXPO This event is run by Central Highlands Historical
Association at Ballarat every October. We participated, along with about 30
other groups, and members manned our display on both days. There was steady
interest in the information we had to offer and we sold a few of our booklets.
In turn, we patronised the other displays. One of the interesting books was the
recently published book “In The Beginning There Was Carisbrook” by Daryl
McLeish and as a result of seeing it there, we have decided to buy a copy for
the society. EXCURSION Our last excursion, led by Jack Polinelli to the Young
Australia mine was great. Several images remain in the minds of those who went,
not the least of which was the sight of Brian Dieckmann risking all to get a
photo, lying full length on the ground with his head in an adit! There was a lot
to see, puddler, shafts, adits, alluvial activity and dam. Then Jack took us to
the unnamed area. At least 3 deep shafts showed that there was considerable
mining conducted there and we are now on the track of finding out information
about it. Derek Reid took the co-ordinates and is following up the trail of
research. A reef of rock of spectacular proportions was worth seeing. Derek has also been speaking to the owner of Charlie’s
Hope mine at Welshmans Reef. The owner is willing to show us the workings there,
including we hope, the stamper. This will be our finale for the year and we will
have Christmas breakup cuppa afterwards. On our way we will also see the site of
the rifle range. Bill Pitts has recently pointed this out to us and it is worth
sharing. This excursion will be on Monday afternoon December 3rd,
leaving from the courthouse at 1.30pm. BOOKLETS The 10 copies of our booklets have all sold so we are in the
process of doing another batch of 10 of each. We have some orders already.
”The Thomas Martin Letter” ”Early Days of Newstead” ”The Newstead
Cemetery” each priced at $10 and at a discount to members at $5! CHAIRS The chairs that were bought with money from the Volunteers
Grant are in use and greatly appreciated. CHHA MEETING We have been approached to host the March meeting in
Newstead and look forward to meeting members of the other societies in the
Central Highlands Historical Association and sharing our courthouse and
collections with them. ACQUISITIONS Bruce Minty has sent us considerable information on Reverend
George Minty and family. George succeeded Reverend Sutherland who was the first
minister of the Presbyterian Church in Newstead. George’s wife and child died
during his time here so his stay in Newstead was an unhappy one. We have also
decided to buy a copy of Dorothy Howard’s latest booklet on the Thompson
family. These efforts by people researching their own families add to the
picture we get of the early days of our area. TIMETABLE The Monday research morning and opening of the courthouse
will continue over the holiday period except for Monday 24 and 31 December. The
next meting will be on February 18 2002. The newsletter will go into hibernation
until then too! In the meantime we look forward to seeing you on Monday December
3” for our excursion and wind-up afternoon tea.
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Page last updated: 20 December 2008