Wendy Watts, from Auchmore’s Perspective, The Buloke Times

On Sunday August 17th the Nullawil Historical Society celebrated my 100-year anniversary. “Auchmore 1925-2025”.

I am aware that reaching this milestone is an incredible achievement. During my 100 years, I have watched the surrounding countryside be transformed by settlers, and seen the resilient pioneers endure droughts, dust storms, rabbits, mice, locusts and even floods.

In more recent years, I have seen farming practices gradually change and the fertile land around me produce crops of wheat, barley, oats, peas, lentils, vetch and vibrant golden canola crops.

There have been so many historic events and changes in the world during this time. I even wondered if I might receive a special congratulatory message from the King, like so many others have when reaching this milestone.

Centrepiece

As the centrepiece of the Nullawil Heritage Centre, some refer to me as the “Grand Old Lady”. A look into the meaning of the term left me quietly contented with that title. It signifies “recognition – an acknowledgment of a shared journey, experiences weathered together, and memories created”. There is a depth of emotion, a history that has stood the test of time. There are undertones of nostalgia and acknowledgment of the challenges faced together. After enduring my first 100 years of Mallee life, the description seemed appropriate.

Preparation

Nullawil Historical Society members have spent hours preparing me for this special occasion, painting, dusting, rearranging and setting up new displays. I could see what pride they took in my improved appearance and what satisfaction they felt as my birthday celebration got closer. I heard them say “the Grand Old Lady is literally sparkling for the occasion!”

There is perhaps only one other occasion in my 100-year history where I have had the same sense of pride and importance. After some prosperous years in the district, I, Auchmore, was built in 1925. William Henry Bennett (known to me as Henry) brought his new wife Eliza Marguerita Winfield (Rita) to live here. Some of my admired features at the time were my distinctive corrugated iron roof with the bull nosed “wrap around” verandah, my decorative wooden porch posts, antique fireplaces, pressed tin ceiling, bay windows and my characteristic leadlight Kookaburra window.

I would say that I was quite charming, nestled back amongst the Kurrajong and Mallee trees and ready to become their home for many years, until they retired to Bendigo in 1969.

The land I sit on was then purchased by William (Bill) and Mavis Watts, and others who lived in me were Annie and Fonce Smith, Bertha and Joan Smith, Doug and Esther Bartram, and Brian and Fay Notting. Noel and Avril Clarke were the last to reside there in 1984. By that time, my power was disconnected, and I sat dormant. The harsh Mallee weather took its toll and I felt rather neglected and lonely. I quietly watched as seasons passed.

Museum

During 1993, the Watts family suggested using me as a museum. The Nullawil Historical Society became my caretakers, renting me on a “peppercorn” lease. As well as a general clean-up, repairs were done to my verandah boards and doors. Exterior house painting was done by some of the original volunteers and repairs were done to my leadlight windows. A grant allowed further repairs to my verandah and wash house and replacement of my weatherboards on the west side and spouting. Louvre windows were replaced with solid glass to keep the dust and rain out. My roof had a leak in 2023, requiring replacement of corrugated iron and replastering of my kitchen ceiling.

Furniture

Historical Society members set about adorning me with antique furniture and decor used by early pioneers, characteristic of the era; that reminds me of my early years. The dedicated Historical Society volunteers worked to maintain my integrity with minimal disturbance to my original character.

Over the past 30 years or so I have watched many people coming and going. They seem to be continually building sheds and facilities and there are now 23 buildings surrounding me. It’s been enjoyable to stand and watch this progress, and see the passion they have to share what life was like during my early years. I have noticed that their work rate recently seemed to have escalated. Many have come and painted, dusted and even changed me a little bit. Generally, I feel like I have really been “spruced up” lately.

These people all seem to enjoy the work they are doing; they are friends, they do laugh a lot. I love it, it’s fun to see!

“Contraptions”

Then on Sunday, August 17, just when I thought it looked like it would be a cold, damp and perhaps a dreary day… wow, things really “heated up”.

From early morning food seemed to be appearing, and these strange contraptions appeared, something I’ve never seen in my kitchen. I now believe they are called slow cookers. The cooking sure smelt good! Not to be satisfied with a nice lunch, the old coppers in the shed were also set alight ready to serve brewed tea in a teapot and cups of coffee.

I noticed that the Heritage Centre gates were opened at 10.30 a.m.. With their customary hospitality, Historical Society members welcomed visitors in the catering area, with a morning tea of fresh scones, jam and cream available. I could hear the sound of lively chatter as visitors were becoming reacquainted. The ambience of the social interactions was unmissable and not unlike what I had experienced within my walls during my lifetime. President Wendy Spry and past president Donald Cooper gave an overview into the origins and establishment of the Nullawil Historical Society.

Church

Following morning tea, guests wandered over to the former Winston Church. I wondered why they were bypassing me. I could see the church was full and overflowing. The harmonic sound of the Estey Reed Pedal Organ playing resonated and the joyful sounds of a sing-a-long wafted over to me. My first owner had also played the organ and enjoyed simple Sunday afternoon sing-a-longs with family and friends.

Wendy Spry, Norm Mathiske, Cheryl Beale (Poyner) and Helen Townrow led some “old favourites” accompanied by Glenys Rickard on the Estey organ. Performances were given by young Kelly Hogan on the clarinet and Ashlei Poyner on the violin.

Exploring

I could see the visitors gradually disperse out of the church building and go on to explore the rest of the Heritage Centre. It had also been “spruced up” for the occasion: the Grange Stable, Drop Log Cabin, old Post Office, Blacksmith Shop, Restored Mallee Roller and Shearing Shed. Working displays were in operation in the Spry Family Display and Townrows Dairy Display. Music could be heard radiating out of the Gallery Barn with Glenys and Ken Rickard “tickling the ivories” with a duet on the piano in the BeMacs Lounge, while visitors perused the photo displays. The “Holey/Holy” Barn displayed items from St Joseph’s Catholic Church and the amazing Mathiske Collection Barn was of great interest.

I listened intently to the chatter as the people walked back to the catering shed for “pulled pork and beef rolls” for lunch. I patiently waited for my back door to open, and for people to eventually visit me.

I heard Historical members speaking in the catering area about my history and refurbishment.

Bagpipes!

Then… Oh hail! The enchanting melodies of the bag pipes began playing on my back verandah. Carolyn Hogan playing the bagpipes was acknowledgement to the Scottish connection of my name Auchmore. Everyone stopped chatting and watched intently to see what happened next.

“Opening”

President Wendy Spry invited foundation Historical Society member Mavis Watts to officially “open my door”. Wow… that was exciting! Lots of visitors then came in to wander through me. Entering in my back door, my central hallway has some beautiful dark wooden fretwork characteristic of the time I was built. Leading off the central hallway are 4 main rooms – a kitchen, formal dining/lounge room, main bedroom and second bedroom with a new children’s and mothers’ exhibit. Other features are my large front entrance porch and pantry. My bathroom is situated on the south western section of my verandah, and it even has a freestanding turkey foot bathtub. There is an external toilet, washhouse, garage and a working man’s hut on wheels. I could feel the awe as visitors took in my historical ambiance. I heard some say that it was “a captivating glimpse into years gone by”!

Tractor

The distinctive sound of the Lanz Bulldog tractor running echoed through my walls. It evoked memories of the hardworking pioneers that worked the land.

The old hay baler was in action in the Eddie Abraham display shed. Tony Bartram was instructing children using the milk separator in Townrow’s Dairy and Lex Spry was supervising as the grain grinder/grister was being used in the Spry Family Display shed. The playful noise of children exploring and climbing on machinery always brings me delight. Visitors also enjoyed wandering through the Room of Remembrance, admiring the newly painted mural and recently framed WW1 flags. The old Towannine School brought back memories of chalkboards, inkpads and school desks. I could see people taking interest in the Eddie Abraham collection and other machinery displays.

There was more chatter in the catering area as a scrumptious afternoon tea with Nullawil home cooking was on offer.

Chooks

I heard the rooster crow throughout the day. He was in charge of the chooks. At the end of the day, an egg was gathered. Good work chooks!

It was an amazing day for me. I treasure the fact that I made it to 100 years and look forward to a future where I welcome many more visitors. I am extremely grateful to the Watts family for their generosity in passing on the caretaking of inside and outside of my walls and surrounds. I am blessed to be surrounded by the Remembrance Garden and beautiful trees, plants and birds that sing to me in the quiet times.

Over 120 people from near and far visited me for the Living History Day. Having this many visitors was the highlight of the day and exceeded my expectations.

The Nullawil Historical Society is extremely grateful to members who put in hours of preparation, to community members who contributed on the day to help showcase the Nullawil Heritage Centre.

See all the pictures from the event in the issue.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 29 August 2025.