Celebrating our heritage
Chris Oldfield. Six pipers, a drummer and dancer recently stirred spirits and awakened the old stone walls and wooden floors of the Naracoorte Hotel – and its patrons. With music almost loud enough to reach the old cemetery, where our Scottish settlers rest, some talented pipers and a drummer had also travelled from Mount Gambier for a Toast to the Tartan.
Allora’s first sporting Immortals arrive this Saturday
You can be a part of this history making event at the Allora Sports Museum from 11.30am. Laura Geitz and Wayne Bennett will ofï¬cially open the park that has been dedicated to them.
In honour of Uncle Ron Heron during NAIDOC week
Lynne Mowbray. The old concrete pump station in River Street Maclean has been given a facelift over the weekend, with a mural painting depicting one of our prominent Yaegl Elders. Highly respected Yaegl Elder, Uncle Ron Heron of Yamba, has had the artwork created in his honour, to celebrate NAIDOC week.
New release – Unmaking Angas Downs
A new work of history that seeks to unmake mythologies of pioneers, pastoralism and possession in the Northern Territory. 'A rare and wonderful book ... Unmaking Angas Downs is a profound act of listening, and a dazzling piece of historical scholarship.' Billy Griffiths
Menin Road: Warwick O’Neill
You may or may not have guessed, but the Australian involvement in World War 1 is my personal area of interest. And the next three articles will focus on a series of battles from 1917 which, in my humble opinion, were the battles which cemented the reputation of the AIF on the Western Front. Sure, the previous years had shown that they were resilient, hard fighters and men who could be trusted to get the job done. But these three battles showed them to be among the best, if not the best, assault troops in the Allied armies.
NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award for local man
Narrandera's Dr Stanley Grant Senior AM has won the NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022. Dr Grant is an elder and a warrior of the Wiradjuri people who grew up in Griffith and spent time with his grandfather Wilfred Johnson (known as Budyaan) who spoke seven languages and taught Dr Grant the Wiradjuri language.
The Grainger connection
Joan de Bondt. Percy Grainger was a composer and pianist born in 1882 whose legacy is generally associated with his piano arrangement of the folk dance tune ‘Country Gardens’ ... Percy Grainger was a cousin to Bruce’s great grandfather. A wedding photo of Bruce’s grandfather, Stewart Hamilton Grainger, is attached to a photo of Percy at about the same age and the resemblance is unmistakable.
New release – Rachel
Rachel Kennedy stood out on a wild frontier dominated by men ... her extraordinary and unputdownable pioneering story is told for the first time ... Rachel Kennedy was a colonial folk hero. Born in the wild and remote Warrumbungle mountains of western New South Wales in 1845, she was described by Duke Tritton of The Bulletin as Australia's greatest pioneer woman of them all.
New release – Of Marsupials and Men
Of Marsupials and Men recounts the fascinating and often hilarious history of the men and women who dedicated their lives to understanding Australia’s native animals.
World Heritage forty years on
Ian Hutton introduces observations from Warren Nicholls, who worked on processing the nomination of Lord Howe Island for World Heritage Listing in 1982 ... "So, on my most recent visit in April 2022, what are the changes that I notice. The Islanders are still so friendly and hospitable. Ned’s Beach is still a great place to snorkel and feed the fish. The trek up Mt Gower is still challenging and just as rewarding with its spectacular views (although now safer with the addition of ropes at certain points). But there are other changes. Noticeable and for the good."
Clarence Valley Anglican School student’s essay wins him trip to Pearl Harbour and Hiroshima
Clarence Valley Anglican School Year 11 student Caleb Harrison won’t regret penning a 1000 word history essay after his work won him an 11 day, NSW Government organised and ClubsNSW funded tour of historic World War II sites in the United States and Japan. After meeting Caleb and his proud mum, Jackie in Grafton on Monday and reading his essay, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said it was easy to see why he was just one of six students across NSW to win a place on the ClubsNSW Premier’s WWII Memorial Tour.
Mithaka people make Betoota their home base: Stewart
Mithaka traditional owner Joshua Gorringe said the freehold ownership of about 97 hectares of land in Betoota, about 140km east of Birdsville, would be an important base for future generations ... Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the Queensland Government had transferred more than 6.24 million hectares of land under Queensland’s Aboriginal Land Act and Torres Strait Islander Land Act.
The Battle of Cape Spada: the Australian Navy proves its mettle
Fergus O'Sullivan, History Guild. The Battle of Cape Spada was a short, violent encounter on the 19th of July, 1940 where the cruiser HMAS Sydney of the Royal Australian Navy sank one Italian cruiser and severely damaged another off the coast of Crete. In this article, we go over the events of that day, as well as what life was like for the crew of the ship.
Wallabies to play England for the new Ella-Mobbs Cup
Australia and England will play for a new trophy when the two nations face off in next month’s eToro England Series; the Ella-Mobbs Cup named after two iconic Rugby figures from each nation. Mark Ella is a Wallabies legend. The first indigenous Captain of the Wallabies, the Fly Half is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted players in Australian Rugby history.
Beaudesert Town Centre revitalisation works progress amidst turntable discovery
Archaeologists are assessing a railway turntable unearthed near the Beaudesert Railway Station during works as part of the Town Centre Revitalisation project. The exact location and condition of the turntable could not be determined by Council prior to works commencing for the Beaudesert Town Centre Revitalisation project.
Eagle takes flight
‘To see the community and regions being prosperous instead of being diminished will always bring me happiness.’ - Neil Eagle AO ... Neil’s involvement in water policy started in the early 60s, the group that formed was the Murray Valley Water Diverters, which covered from Albury right up to the Menindee system. From the outset, Neil was the secretary of that organisation, a role that continued for 30 years before becoming chairman, continuing to advocate for sensible water policy and a fair go.
Mural pays homage to Margaret Feilman
The City partnered with the Kwinana Social Club and the Medina Residents Group to celebrate the life of one of Kwinana’s historic figures, Margaret Feilman, with a unique artwork designed specifically for the area and installed on the external wall at the Club on Pace Road, Medina. At sixteen, Margaret became the state’s first female architectural cadet.
Memorial to honour Empire Training Scheme officially opened
The official opening of the Empire Air Training Scheme Memorial at Wagga's RAAF Base took place at Wagga last week, conjuring up many memories for towns like Narrandera which were part of this scheme. Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack helped to officially open the memorial project.
The Winsome Soup Kitchen, a vision of hope at Lismore
John O'Donnell. After a walk along the Wilson River and Leycester Creek near their junction at Lismore, I called into the Winsome Hotel, thinking there might be a drink on hand, as it was close to lunchtime and there was no signage on the hotel indicating any changes in management. No luck with any drinks, but I met Mieke Bell and she generously donated her time showing my wife and I what was happening on the ground floor after the floods.
Book review – A Good Yarn
A fascinating concept – reviewing the historical background to an array of possibly tall and maybe true tales from Australia’s past ... The author has gone to a lot of trouble to combine excellent research and footnotes with an enjoyable set of short stories able to be read easily. We are introduced to some beguiling tales from Australia's past, some of which may be familiar to us whereas others may be new discoveries.
New release – A Good Yarn
David Vernon’s latest book, A Good Yarn, provides a fascinating insight into how popular myths are made and can wield influence not just at the time of their invention, but for years, even generations to come. A Good Yarn shines a spotlight onto seven historical events that have grown into Australian legends.
