History & heritage

When he first arrived in Australia, several prospective syndications declined to purchase a share in him, describing him as crook looking and too lanky. Prone to injuries, it was an effort for dedicated Sydney trainer Les Bridge just to get the horse to the races ... Kensei (NZ) became one of the most popular horses to set a hoof on the Grafton Racecourse.

Ian Riley. One of the best things about the museum, other than the exhibits, is the people you meet there. I have always been a history tragic, but on my last visit to the museum, I met Michelle Ross. Michelle has a YouTube channel with 9,000 followers and a website called Goldfields Guide ...

Narrandera Shire Council, in partnership with the Narrandera Aboriginal Elders Liaison Group, officially opened the Wiradjuri Honour Wall at Marie Bashir Park in Narrandera on Saturday. This event celebrated and honoured the rich cultural heritage and achievements of the Wiradjuri people. Wiradjuri elder Aunty Jennifer Johnson had the honour of cutting the ribbon...

Since the inaugural Grafton Jacaranda Festival was held in 1935 and attracted an estimated 4000 attendees to the region, it has become Australia’s foremost floral celebration … thousands of visitors from across the country and overseas journey to the Clarence Valley to share in the history of the time honoured annual festivity while immersing themselves amongst local attractions, characters, and traditions…

In a celebration of community and creativity, Prof Milburn prepares to launch his book, capturing the heart and history of Wycheproof. After many years of diligently researching the history of Wycheproof and the district, Allan ‘Prof’ Milburn thought it was time to share all the stories from his journey.

Rev heads and interested motoring enthusiasts are welcome to visit Nathan’s Allora Barbershop to check out the motoring memorabilia on display for the next three weeks. Three local blokes have been gathering anything and everything to do with motoring over the years and now want to share their collection with other like-minded people.

Sydney has struggled with water shortages since European settlement, relying on various schemes over the years, including the Tank Stream and Botany Swamps ... Warragamba Dam remains one of the world's largest domestic water supply dams, standing alongside iconic projects like the Opera House and the Snowy Mountains Scheme.

This wonderful book introduces a man who was a true hero. He defeated the dragon of anthrax, found a pot of gold, married a beautiful maiden, encountered a demon and died at the peak of his powers. Anthrax is a ferocious beast: in the 1880s it could kill 500 sheep in one day ... The story is brilliantly told in Peter Symes's biography of Gunn.

John Williams. “Situated on high ground on the main road, within half a mile of the town, it is both convenient and dry, and it commands one of the most picturesque views of the vicinity of Nhill. On two sides may be seen over the top of the fence a background of foliage which presents a charming appearance on a clear bright day ..." Words from the Nhill Free Press written on the opening of the new showgrounds in 1888.

Eight  bridges are being named by Richmond Valley Council. These are the names: Hansens Bridge, Monaghans Bridge, Whiteside Bridge, Trustums Bridge, Mathers Bridge, Nowlans Bridge, Watsons Bridge and One Tree Crossing. What do you think of the names?

The Northern Rivers Conservatorium is pleased to host Women Of Song in its Concert Room ... Women of Song is an authentic show of conversations and songs, articulating First Nations cultural practice in the here and now, live on stage. It's an innovative new show, developed by the acclaimed Jessie Lloyd ...

Kerry Cain. The new Indigenous Interpretive garden space, garingilang gatjin wii, at the Central Goldfields Art Gallery in Maryborough, was the setting for an arts and cultural talks afternoon last Sunday. Djaara Elders Aunty Marilyne Nicholls and Uncle Rick Nelson co-shared cultural talks about Country and explained the use of chosen stones, plants and rock wells.

Honor Auchinleck. "Why wasn’t this done years ago? We need to get the Light Horse Trail into our schools," someone said as we delivered Chauvel Border Light Horse Trail brochures to the Visitor Information Centre in Gundagai ... The Trail runs from the Light Horse Memorial in the New South Wales regional capital of Wagga Wagga to the statue of Brigadier Murray Bourchier CMG DSO in Victoria’s regional capital of Shepparton.

In an effort to raise much needed funds, the Guy Fawkes Heritage Association is opening its doors at the Ebor Sports and Recreation Grounds for their 20th anniversary on Saturday 12 October ... The Open Day will commence at 10am and see activities such as camp oven cooking by Ranger Nick, who will also facilitate a hands-on damper making workshop for the kids. There will be market stalls, whip cracking, Guy Fawkes Heritage Horse Challenge and conclude with a concert, featuring country music singer James Blundell.

Records tumbled at the 2024 Good Old Days Festival as teamsters from around the nation brought out the biggest horse, camel and bullock teams ever seen in modern Australia. The teamsters also excelled themselves with creating a world first – four bullocks, two camels and two horses harnessed together and pulling a wagon.

Sydney might be 236 years old, but Murrabit is catching up fast – having notched up its official first century at the weekend. And it was certainly one of the bigger parties the Murray River town has thrown in its first 100 years, pulling a bumper crowd of locals, former locals and the descendants of some of the town’s establishment names for the two days of festivities.

John Williams. In the pioneering years of aviation, Nhill’s first man in the air, Ivan Sinclair Young helped put the town at the forefront of flight along with Fred Mckenzie of the Nhill Free Press. (Sinclair was his mother’s maiden name) Yes, he was a "Magnificent Man in a Flying Machine." However, he was not a glamorous pilot or ace. He was still brave, though.

Rachel Hagan. Another year and another huge success for the annual Minlagawi Nature Festival with about 200 attendees engaging with culture and their community, while taking in a deep breath of fresh air ... The event was all about connecting with nature while learning about Nharangga culture.

History has been discovered in the walls of the old Clifton Courier Building. With the move into new premises from the old Clifton Courier building staff unearthed historic articles such as these large Allora Jockey Club posters.

From big fish and bigger boats to bananas – and all ports in between – the eclectic story of Coffs Harbour has captured the imagination of the community and visitors alike, and now a major internationally-assessed award.  The exhibition design for Yaamanga Around Here at Yarilla Arts and Museum (YAM) has received a prestigious Good Design Award Winner Accolade in the Architectural Design category for exceptional design and innovation.  

Camels, donkeys and mules in harness pulling an array of wagons and a Cobb & Co coach will compete for the prestigious teamster’s trophies in a spectacle rarely seen in modern Australia at The Good Old Days Festival at Barellan ... Organised by the Barellan Working Clydesdales committee, the festival will comprise a full program of authentic heritage events...

John Murphy. Next Thursday ... will mark exactly 100 years since the residents of Corryong were connected to reticulated (piped) or mains pressure water ... Corryong was officially designated a town in 1875 and from that time until late 1924 householders and businesses were totally reliant for all their domestic and trade water needs on water tanks and often, unreliable wells sunk into granite soil.