History & heritage

When English historian, Derek Neville, was researching letters written by David Blackburn, navigator and ‘master’ of the First Fleet vessel Supply, he was disappointed to discover that the small island in the Lagoon at Lord Howe had lost its original name – ‘Blackburn Isle’. This name had been given to it by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball in March, 1788, when the very first landing was made at Lord Howe.

In the last quarter of 2021, MainFM’s Queer and Now successfully produced a nine-part podcast titled ‘Pride Across the Ages’ ... the series is an incredibly moving, challenging, heartfelt, funny, honest and raw collection of stories from the LGBTIQA+ community ‘across the ages' who call Central Victoria and the towns of Mount Alexander Shire home.

The historic Harrow Homestead between Cambooya and Southbrook has been sold for $18,803,300. The expansive property on Cambooya Felton Road covers 1568 hectares or 3874.6 acres.

The current Allora Golf Course will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, with a golf day and BBQ planned for Sunday 2nd October. We say “current” because this golf course is actually the third one in Allora. The first Allora Golf Club was formed in June 1927 and the course opened in August 1927.

We have many events and competitions including horse, sheep, dog, fleece, sheaf toss, cooking, horticulture, art, craft, photography etc.

We are having an entertainment day to promote our district and local community. 

Anyone wanting to sign a condolence book for Queen Elizabeth II in the northern suburbs can do so at Chocolate Drops in the Yanchep National Park. Pearce MHR Tracey Roberts, who arranged for the condolence book to be at Chocolate Drops, said those wishing to sign the condolence book could do so between 9.30am and 2.30pm until Sunday, September 25 and then between 9.30am to 4.30pm during the school holidays.

The topic I want to raise is one that in the last few decades has grown to become an Australian norm, performed at major and minor cultural, political, and sporting events. Unfortunately, this new norm is at risk of being overused by zealot government bureaucrats, attempting to force reconciliation through repetition, instead of accepting slow community adoption.

Chris Oldfield. Richard Downward remembers the magical glamour, pomp and pageantry of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 because he was there. Just 14 years old at the time, he and fellow Naracoorte High School student Geoffrey Arthur (deceased) were selected to join The Advertiser Sun Youth Travel Coronation contingent.

A mural depicting the history of fishing on the Fraser Coast has been painted on the side wall of the Urangan Fisheries cold store which faces Fishermans Park ... “It links the Butchulla and European history of fishing in the region,” Councillor Zane O’Keefe said ... Watch the video.

I was unexpectedly, and in the end pleasantly, surprised to find a story that is as much about 1950s and 1960s Australia as it is about one young woman’s experiences. It is the north-west Western Australia of Aboriginal missions, of cultural clashes, of extremes in temperature and of distance, of hardships tempered by moments of joy, of connections made and still treasured more than half a century later.

Kendall Jennings. Residents around the district supported the Kerang Orchid Show blooming in the Kerang Basketball Stadium over the weekend, hosted by the Mid-Murray Orchid Club. After a three-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, judges from Melbourne travelled to Kerang to award displays designed by local growers.

Emma Pritchard. A much loved and time-honoured tradition which celebrates the beginning of the Jacaranda season, the crowning of the famous Grafton Clocktower was brought forward by several weeks this year at the request of Clarence Valley residents in honour of Queen Elizabeth II ... Shortly before 6am on September 14, the iconic crown was carefully guided into place as a small crowd ... gathered in Prince Street to watch.

A Blue Plaque has been installed for the first time ever in NSW as part of the popular NSW Blue Plaques program, which recognises extraordinary people and events from our State’s history. Minister for Heritage James Griffin said the Caroline Chisholm Blue Plaque in the suburb of East Maitland was the first of 21 Blue Plaques so far to be installed.

Australia's success on the international sporting arena has earned the country a reputation as one of the top equestrian nations in the world. The Equestrian Australia Hall of Fame was started in 2010 and honours EA's greatest achievers, but maybe it’s time the panel took a new look and added a number of greats who are missing from the list.

Rex Mansfield, a roving painter is in town working on some much needed repainting of the town’s old business fronts and iconic installations. He has started in Ray Hunter Park where he is putting the finishing touches to the “Barkindji Fish”, the original creation of the late Karen Riley. The Barrow & Co steam engine has been finished.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s tour of Australia in 1954 was long anticipated. They had been due to visit in 1952, but their plans were cut short by the death of King George VI. Following Elizabeth’s coronation, they finally arrived in Sydney aboard the liner Gothic on Wednesday, 3 February 1954. The couple would tour every State, visiting each capital city and many regional towns.

Ali Bohn. The world was informed of the news last Thursday that Her Majesty the Queen had passed away at the impressive age of 96; not a bad innings for anyone, least of all for someone who is often considered as having the most important position in the world ... So, what are your thoughts on the Queen’s passing and our new king?

Emma Pritchard. Members of the Clarence River Historical Society were saddened to hear of the passing of Britain’s longest serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II last week. President Steve Tranter said Her Majesty was a friend of Australia who was widely loved, respected and admired by many people.

Australia woke to the news that Queen Elizabeth had died in the early hours of the morning. Memories and tributes to the Queen filled posts on social media ... On February 10, 1954, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip visited Lismore before flying out to the Evans Head aerodrome in the afternoon.

Matt Nicholls, Sarah Martin, Samuel Davis. Just 450 people lived in Cooktown when Queen Elizabeth II sailed in on April 22, 1970. It was actually quicker for Her Majesty to travel by sea than road back then, such was the state of the road. Accompanied by His Royal Highness, the late Prince Philip, and their daughter Princess Anne, there was a buzz in the air when the Brittania appeared in the Endeavour River.

Samuel Davis. The legacy of one of Cape York’s most controversial figures is being revisited following a major land handback to traditional owners. Premier Annastacia Palaszcuk returned more than 362,000 hectares to the Gudang/Yadhaykenu, Atambaya and Angkamuthi (Seven Rivers) peoples at Injinoo last week. As part of the agreement, Jardine River National Park has been renamed Apudthama National Park.