History & heritage

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 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…

Tucked away from Maldon's main drag is the old grain store facing Templeton Street, built in 1866 and run by the Maldon Co-operative Store Trading Company until its sale to John Brooks in 1872. It's a striking building, perched high on the corner of Edwards St, retaining a multitude of historic details, including advertising and patina.

The Rolls-Royce name is imbued with suggestion and symbolism, not all of which is really to do with cars or mechanicals. We live in changing times, and the group of Rolls-Royce (and Bentley) owners who visited Maldon on the weekend were just another bunch of car enthusiasts who were happily chatting about bearings and gearboxes...

Every vintage vehicle enthusiast rolled out on the right side of bed on Sunday 10 August, it seemed, and decided to hit the road. It was the right weather for Sunday Driving, with markets and cafes drawing visitors, so the streets of Maldon were lined with cars of all kinds.

John Williams. Nhill was the halfway marker for outlandish speed records set in the 1950's by car drivers who took enormous risks. Risk of death and risk of arrest, but all survived. The test was who could drive from Melbourne to Adelaide in the fastest time in highly illegal speed runs on the Western and Dukes Highways, which at the time were rubbish roads.

Hugh Schuitemaker. The chairman of Renmark's Olivewood museum says she is "fed up" with a lack of support and consultation from National Trust SA ... "It's almost as if they are trying to bleed the branches dry." Ann Ryan said volunteers had been directly responsible for raising money to purchase, and maintaining, many of Olivewood's major exhibits.

Maureen Donnellon. Brian Lea, Birchip Probus president was guest speaker on the role played by Birchip Apex Club, from 1975, without whom, the Tchum Lake we know and love, may never have been created. Brian was the original treasurer of Apex at that time and has had an interest ever since in the story of the development of the lake.

Yorke Peninsula National Trust of South Australia branches are refusing to pay a new fee which would take 10 per cent of their gross annual revenue, warning the move could force museums to close. Of the several YP branches protesting, the Moonta branch — one of the NTSA's largest — is facing a $47,365 fee, which chair Graham Hancock has called unfair.

Alex Nelson. The standout features of this year’s local government elections for Alice Springs are the imminent near wholesale replacement of all council members and the high number of candidates running for councillor. With 25 candidates, it overtakes the 1988 campaign with 24 nominations for alderman as the second-highest on record.

Colin Newport. Warwick Street, Allora, has played a big part in the life of Rae Masters, who celebrated her 100th birthday at ‘The Homestead’ last Thursday 31st July. Averil Rae Masters was born in Miegunyah Private Hospital (now the home of Margaret Rackley at 33 Warwick Street) on the 31st July 1925, the daughter of Les and Doris Masters (nee Holmes).

A Living History Day to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the historic Auchmore Home, will be held at the Nullawil Heritage Centre on Sunday, August 17. Nullawil Historical Society members are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the day with an opportunity to "step back in time".

While politicians and activists agonise over the merits of the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, a far more insidious war rages on — not between nations, but between species. It’s the war we barely talk about, yet one we’re losing badly: the war against invasive pests. From farmland to forest, the frontlines are everywhere, and the casualties aren’t measured in headlines but in trees, crops, ecosystems — and billions of taxpayer dollars.