EVENTS

Site contents:

9. Events (this page)

i. Penshurst Railway Disaster Commemoration, 26the March, 2000

A commemoration was held to the memory of the seven railway workers, who died when the Penshurst-Koroit railway was constructed in 1890.

Briefly, the function started at 1.30 pm with "Danny Boy" sang and played by the Hildebrands, at the site of the disaster, approx. 3km East of Penshurst. This was followed by 'locals' reading out statements by the witnesses at the Coronial Inquest in 1890. Eric Pihl read and enacted Dr. F.A. Sweetnam's coronial deposition. Marie Ewing sang her own composition, "Moving Overland", and Ruth Pihl sang her own composition, "Words on a Stone", accompanied by Greg Hildebrand.. Approx. 50 people attended. The weather was excellent.

A graveside ceremony was then held at the Boram Boram cemetery at 3 pm. This was attended by approx. 70 people. Peter Ewing (who had done most of the preparative graveside work) welcomed those attending. The picture (left) shows the audience being addressed by Fr. Frank Madden. Marie Ewing played "The Minstrel Boy" on flute. Addresses were given by Fr. Denis Dennehy, native of Killarney, Ireland, by the Reverend Harry Bone, and by Fr. Frank Madden. The memorial plaque and the stone (donated by David Page) were unveiled by Jack Ryan. Very appropriately, James Callanan of Hamilton, a probable descendant of James Callanan, one of the disaster victims, read the part of the deceased.

The ceremonies were followed by refreshments at the Memorial Hall, in Penshurst. In all, it was a most successful day.

James and John Callanan (below, left) at the tombstone in memory of the seven railway workers; their (probable) ancestor James Callahan's name appears on the tombstone. The Reverend Harry Bone (centre left) at the stone with the plaque in memory of the seven railway workers. A closeup of the stone (centre right). The latter seems to have come from overseas, e.g. Ireland or England, since it is of slate, which does not exist here. The funds enabling us to purchase the engraved bronze plaque were raised during our "Summit to Remember Event" performed 23rd October, 1999. A diskette file of 'clickable thumbnail' images of the event is available. Fr.Denis Dennehy (right) at the original tombstone. We hope to be able to upload Fr. Denis' eloquent and thought provoking address soon. The strong sunlight made the photo (digital) conditions suboptimal.

ii. A Tribute to the Men Who Died Bring the Rail Through

Railway construction is dangerous work, and too often those who died on the job lie forgotten in lonely graves. We, in Penshurst think it's time we recalled the tragedy of young lives cut short by a horrendous disaster on March lst, l890. Seven single, young men died and others were badly injured on a homeward journey at the end of work. The train, with an open truck at the front of it, overturned when it struck a bullock on the line a short distance from the township.

The young men were returning to the 'single mens' camp' at Penshurst. Most were Irish born or of Irish descent and only one was out of his twenties. The people of Penshurst in l890 were shocked and saddened by the tragedy, laying the dead to rest in the Boram Boram cemetery just outside the township. Five lie together in a large grave, one seperately. Three other railway accident victims of later accidents were added.

The names of the young men were: James Callanan 22yrs, John Dillon, about 24 yrs, John Dunphy, 24 yrs, Patrick McGee 33yrs, John O’Donnell 21 yrs, William Waters 27 yrs, James O’Brien 28 yrs.