History & heritage

Sharp's country baking excellence and their recent win in Australia's Best Vanilla Slice competition is proving a winning recipe for Birchip's tourism economy, with recent visitors arriving by rail, road and even by air to sample the town's famous treat.

Historian and President of Maldon Museum and Archives Association Derek Reid delivered a paper at the Australasian Mining History Association conference in Broken Hill on Wednesday 3 September. His presentation, called 'The Beehive Mine Chimney: Maldon's Mining Memorial' was reportedly well received by attendees and delegates, who expressed concern about heritage and maintenance in relation to the chimney.

A team of 62 heavy horses was harnessed to pull an antique wagon in a record-breaking event at the Barellan Good Old Days Festival at the weekend. It outnumbered the previous Australian record of 50, set in Queensland in the 1980s and a 50-horse hitch in Canada in 1995.

When the ferocious winds and torrential rain of former tropical cyclone Alfred hit town in March 2025, a Yamba icon was left battered and sodden. Now, through community generosity, and the determination to continue the family’s legacy, the Yamba Cinema will reopen before Christmas.

Deep in the forests of Western Australia, jarrah has left a remarkable legacy. In the late 1800s, this mighty hardwood—then called Swan River mahogany—revolutionised city life. The noise on London's streets changed from the familiar harsh clang of hooves on cobblestones to the softer clippity-clop of horses trotting over wooden blocks. Those blocks were made from jarrah, and soon that timber paved an empire.

Ahead of its complete restoration, an event will be held on Saturday, 11 October to acknowledge the move of the Nobby Gaol to its new site in the centre of town ... Over the past six years, Rudd’s Pub owners Evan and Gayle Jones with the help of the community have been on a mission to move and restore the gaol.

David Cliff. Denmark Classic Boat Show on Sunday was a big community success with locals and visitors enjoying the boat displays and the on-water activities despite the showers. Denmark Rowers volunteers pulled off their third biennial Classic Boat Show with a laid-back atmosphere that offered something for boating enthusiasts and the community.

John Williams. During the Battle of Britain Luftwaffe pilot Heinz Grabow was shot down on 5 September 1940, making a good forced landing near Wichling, Kent ... Grabow’s damaged Messerschmitt 109 (Yellow7) was to become a story in itself, transported to Australia as a "prize" to be put on show at various locations including Nhill where it was exhibited on the 4th of August 1941 in the Williams Garage next to the theatre.

Maldon Heritage Network has found a new home for the horse trough that sat for many years in front of what is now the hardware shop ... trough is marked 'Donated by Annis & George Bills Australia' which means it has an interesting history. The Bills were successful in business in the late 1800s and ahead of their time as compassionate campaigners for animal rights.

On Saturday 20 September 2025 a special event occurred. To celebrate 140 years of Freemasonry in Nhill, The Lowan Lodge 107 reenacted the consecration of the cornerstone of the Nhill Post Office. The program followed the 29 October 1887 event with a march to the Post Office by all local Freemasons.

100 years of worship in the Nhill Uniting Church was celebrated in style ... People travelled from across the State, and interstate, to enjoy a morning of music, messages and memorabilia.

An important part of Spencer Gulf’s maritime heritage may be lost with the sinking of the Mary-Ann Simms in Port Lincoln. The vessel went down at Snook’s Landing on the weekend of September 6 and 7, possibly due to earlier hull damage from a barge collision and the theft of solar panels that powered its automatic bilge pump.

Over a million people have experienced the wonder of the national collection closer to home since it launched in 2023, and now it’s Mudgee’s turn. A collection of works by some of the 20th century’s most notable artists will travel to Mudgee Arts Precinct as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program. 

Renowned Australian comedian and actor, Damian Callinan returns to the Gannawarra next month as part of his tour celebrating the iconic community icon – the town hall. As part of his Hall Stories tour, the creator of the hit Netflix movie, The Merger will celebrate the importance of the Lake Charm and Murrabit halls with each community during two shows supported by Gannawarra Shire Council.

Two blokes sit on the porch, each cradling a stubby of beer as the sun goes down, talking about times gone by. John Cousins and Frank Fletcher live close to each other out near Pagans Flat. “We were talking about graves,” John said. Frank is 89 years old and lives at Ewingar. He has been pushing to preserve Peter Pagan’s grave at a property on Pagans Flat Road.

The 19th NHMA National Machinery Rally, Australia’s largest display of working heritage equipment, and the Steaming Under the Southern Cross event took place at Kingsthorpe last week.

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.