History & heritage

The next Nhill Book Fair will be held on September 7, from 10-2 at 44 Victoria St (next to Lowana), in conjunction with the second birthday celebrations at LOL next door. At this book fair there will be a large selection of Walkabout magazines available.

On Monday, 8 September at 11.30am, a special ceremony will be held at the Port Lincoln War Memorial in Eyre Park to plant a Fig Tree of Tobruk—a living symbol of remembrance and resilience that not only honours the legacy of Australian soldiers who served in the Siege of Tobruk during World War II, but also commemorates the enduring significance of the tree itself, which once offered shelter and solace to troops in the harsh desert conditions of Libya.

Alex Nelson. This week marks the 34th anniversary of the official opening of the Commonwealth's Jock Nelson Centre in August 1991. This is the splendid Commonwealth building I suggested ought to be re-purposed as the permanent home of the Museum of Central Australia during my presentation at the Friends of the Strehlow Research Centre Symposium in April 2018.

Wendy Watts. On Sunday August 17th the Nullawil Historical Society celebrated my 100-year anniversary. “Auchmore 1925-2025” ... As the centrepiece of the Nullawil Heritage Centre, some refer to me as the “Grand Old Lady”.

Joy Cassidy presented a touching talk as guest speaker at Cohuna RSL ... Joy spoke of her Aunt, Rosetta Joan Wight who was one of the 21 nurses massacred by the Japanese in WW2 after their surrender at Radji Beach, Bangka Island.

A philanthropic gift to Toowoomba's Cobb+Co Museum has helped bring to life a new exhibition honouring the craftsmanship, legacy, and future of saddlery. Garth and Sandra Delbridge alongside The Saddlery exhibition at Cobb+Co Museum.

The world record of a 50-horse hitch set 30 years ago will be broken in Australia at the 2025 Good Old Days Festival at Barellan by the greatest horse teamsters of the modern-day era. Bruce Bandy, Barellan, Steve Johnson, Lake Cargelligo, and Aleks Berzins, Exeter, will combine their Clydesdale, Australian Draught and Suffolk Punch horses to create a mega team of more than 50 horses pulling an historic Bennett wagon ...

Lara Leahy. The first in a series of public lectures at Evans Head Living Museum kicked off with the Marjory Henderson Lecture on Wednesday, August 20. Marjory died aged 64. Five of her nine children were at the museum for the lecture. Three of them – Scott, Andrew and Margaret shared their stories.

The World Heritage bid for the Australian Cornish Mining Sites: Burra and Moonta is on track, with hopes of achieving recognition by July 2029. UK-based world heritage consultant Barry Gamble visited Moonta Mines last week and gave an update on the bid to National Trust of South Australia Moonta branch volunteers at the Moonta School of Mines.

Victoria’s High Country comes alive again this spring for the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria’s Annual Get Together. Held in Molyullah from October 17 to 19, 2025, this vibrant three-day festival is a spectacular celebration of heritage, horsemanship, and high country spirit.

A small and dedicated crowd attended a ceremony at Maldon Cenotaph on Monday 18 August to mark Vietnam Veterans' Day, which takes place on the anniversary of the 1966 Battle of Long Tan ... Around 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1973, of which over 500 died and thousands were injured.

The Wedderburn Historical Engine and Machinery Society is busy getting ready for its annual rally. The rally is held over two days and welcomes exhibitors from all over Victoria and Interstate.

Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip has once again claimed top honours at the prestigious Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph, held in Merbein on Saturday. The family-run bakery is no stranger to success, having now won the title six times since their first win in 2000.

Southern Downs Regional Council held a well attended community information session last Thursday in the Allora Community Hall, where residents had the opportunity to meet face to face with Councillors and town planning staff regarding how the Council's Draft Planning Scheme will affect Allora.

August 18 marked almost 60 years since the Battle of Long Tan, reported as one of the most horrific conflicts by Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War. The date is now being acknowledged as so much more than the battle itself, with greater focus on the sacrifices made by all who fought in Vietnam.

The Jeparit Uniting Church community celebrated the centenary of the laying of the foundation stone of their current building as well as the closure of their doors on Sunday. On August 16, 1925, Mr. James Menzies, a local civic leader and former trustee of the church, unveiled the foundation stone for the new building in the presence of a large gathering of local and district residents.

A descendant of the first settlers at Lowbank, east of Waikerie, has written a book on the history of the former local school, providing an insight into education in the area from 1913 to 1942. The book, titled 'Low Bank School History', was published last month, and is Cheryl Paschke's fifth book about the history of the area.

A restored Huey helicopter visited Hay last week. Crewed by two veterans of the Vietnam War, the RAAF Huey 703 flew 1000 kilometres from Nowra to the Yorke Peninsula to mark the launch of a memorial walk. The Vietnam War Memorial Walk at Edithburgh will open next Monday, on Vietnam Veterans Day...

In 1983, the local Aboriginal people set up a blockade at Mutawintji. Why: Aboriginal people wanted control over their own heritage. They wanted respect for Aboriginal culture.

Joanna Tucker. Hundreds gathered in Edithburgh on Vietnam Veterans' Day to honour the bravery of Australians who served throughout the Vietnam War and to officially open the Vietnam War Memorial Walk. The opening drew more than 700 people, making it one of the bigger events in southern Yorke Peninsula's history.

Peter Dorrough. In the 1860's both John and James Dorrough took up land grants on the plateau above Illawarra escarpment, and commenced, once again, land clearing, which was part of the condition of the grant ... in 1867, Matthew leased the property "Kalmar" at Dapto, and took Martha to live with his son James, Mary Ann and children at Kangaloon.

Babinda’s beloved heritage guesthouse, Babinda Quarters, is officially on the market, offering a rare opportunity for a creative visionary or entrepreneurial spirit to take command of one of Far North Queensland’s most unique and historic properties. With its misty rainforest mountain backdrop and rich architectural charm, Babinda Quarters is more than a guesthouse…