Mudgee region community history

W hat's New? W hat's New? W hat's New? W hat's New? ters to and from the goldfields. NEW HISTORICAL POEM by Diane de St Hilaire Simmonds (c) 2016 Goldrush Woman: Letters to and from the goldfields Click HISTORY WRITERS: News from the Australian Society of Authors: Historical writers may not be aware that the Australian book industry is under threat. The Productivity Commission has proposed a number of changes to copyright that will result in fewer Australian publishers, booksellers and authors. We need to make our voices heard. If you enjoy writing and recording history, and if you value Australian stories, visit www.bookscreateaustralia.com.au and sign the petition. MUDGEE MENS CLUB - A BRIEF HISTORY by Barbara Hickson, Architect and Heritage Adviser - Click here The Gulgong Holtermann Museum Brief History By Barbara Hickson, Architect, Heritage Advisor - Click here Mudgee Rotunda by Barbara Hickson, Architect, Heritage Advisor - Click here is this James and Rosa Price? Click for more information Who is Mary Ann Smith? Click here Charles Naseby by Lisa Thomas Hi Diane, I am sending through some of the details I have of Charles Naseby. He was kicked to death across from our home in Lochinvar in 1893 at the age of 81...More THE ORIGINS OF THE TOWN - KANDOS. Was Kandos named after the directors of the new cement mine? Or was it already known as 'Chandos', named after the local MP William Chandos Wall MP, prospector, geologist, minerals surveyor, commission/mining agent, inventor and a quarry and mining operator, who established quarries and mines in the district. Pam O'Connor reports. Click here William Chandos Wall MP Newsclip on Richard Lewis, Mudgee settler Click here and scroll down Richard Lewis was transported to Sydney in 1802. As a free man, he had a major part in building the road over the Blue Mountains and in settling Bathurst and worked closely with Cox and Evans. He is believed to have named Mudgee, and also to have married Mary Anne Roberts, who was born in Sydney, but has no birth certificate, only a baptism certificate that states her parents were unknown and is believed to be an Aboriginal woman. Lewis was a friend of the Aboriginal people. An Original Cobb & Co Sign advertising a reduction in fares Above photos of an original ticket and notice were given to this website by Peter Matlock: photos as discussed,originals,I have had in my possession for around 55 years. Purchased at an auction in Richmond Vic GRAINGERS AUCTIONS, regards PETER MATLOCK. The Kandos McCormack Cup Do you know something about this J McCormack Cup given to Kandos Football Clubin the early 20th century? click HERE. Johnson family From Gary Webber: Sofala (we think around 1936) of my grandparents and mother, this was outside of their farmhouse which was on the Turon River and opposite to a Chinese graveyard we think? The farm was owned by Roy’s mother, my great Grandmother, it was described as a small mud walled dwelling. New Poems about Mudgee Mudgee Hospital Auxiliary History - Members looking for old photos and stories from family members of women who have served on the Mudgee Hospital Auxiliary. **HISTORY OF MUDGEE HOSPITAL AUXILIARY by Esther Burns Did you know that hospitals in Mudgee have had a ladies auxiliary for 90 years? I am the current Secretary of the Mudgee Hospital Auxiliary and have been researching the history of our Hospital Auxiliary but now need some help from locals. I’ve only lived in Mudgee for 6 years so have had to rely on stories from newspapers and our current members to get as far as I have...MORE...CLICK HERE Does anyone know the O'Brien/Madden family history? Click here. HISTORY OF SURNAMES We take so much for granted in our own time and space. Last names for instance. In this world of easy ancestry research, one would think that everyone has a last name and has had so for generations. Not so.Click here for more To Order:** Email: dzsimmonds@bigpond.com The Late Kenneth James Simmonds Sydney and Melbourne Royal Show harness judge Part of the Sydney Royal Easter Show Harness horse competitions for 41 years. Outstanding winner of many trophies and ribbons Show vehicle restoration master craftsman Have you ever regretted the passing of a friend, or loved one; a master craftsman of a trade that is fading from our midst? Have you ever wished you knew how to re-create those romantic, bygone treasures that are part of our history and part of our lives? Have you ever kicked yourself for not seeking such information before our most respected craftsmen and women are gone forever? The late Ken Simmonds was born into the horse and buggy era. His father was a Bankstown milk man, using a horse and milk cart. Here Ken’s story began. Ken’s passion, showing his beautifully restored harness vehicles at the Sydney Royal Show and country shows shines in this book, methodically recording measurements and knowhow to help the show ring remain authentic. There are many in show rings today still driving Ken’s beautiful and meticulously restored vehicles. The knowledge recorded in this booklet is precious. for a tribute to theLate Ken Simmonds, click here FAMILY RESEARCHERS: Your members will be pleased to learn that the Australian Cemeteries Index website http://austcemindex.com , which now has over 1.7M headstone inscriptions online, has a NSW BDM search facility that actually works properly. As with all of the website it is totally free More information click here UPDATE OF CHINAMAN'S KILLING Hello, my name is Susan Jarvis and am connected to the Chinaman’s killing of the butcher that Chris Eaton referred to some time ago. I have found some newspaper clippings on it. Click here to see: TIDBIT ON MUSEUMS AND COLLECTION OF HISTORY Photo of the last load of hay being offloaded from a horse drawn wagon at Mudgee Railway Station. Click here The photos are of Kandos at the turn of the century. Photographs sent in by Chris Turner of Western Australia, who moved there in 2011. Bonnyview, Lue Road, at the turn of the century Dear Parents...I am very sorry to inform you my little son is dead, but I thank God my wife and I are quite well. I have moved from Cooyal. I had very bad luck there. Also... And... Mt Frome is about 4klms south east of Mudgee township. It was named after a shepherd, Tom Frome, who got lost in the then thickly wooded mountain. He was thought to have died there, but during a Memorial Service held in his honour, he turned up, very much alive. .. And... Did you know Mudgee pioneered solar and wind natural, renewable energy? Meet the Simmonds family, pioneers of the new energy source who were responsible for hundreds of Mudgee families on small farms using solar and wind electricity to run their homes in the early 1980s. Response from reader identifying the machinery in the collection. In the exciting days of the Gold Rush, Australia certainly became multi-cultural. And one of the biggest cultural groups to make a significant contribution to the pioneers' life was the Chinese. Barbara Hickson speaks of their presence in Gulgong. Tracking The Dragon by Barbara Hickson (Part 1) In this series of Chinese nationals in the Gulgong region of Mudgee, Barbara tells us a bit of background on Chinese Names in the article, Chinese Anonymity. Then we have the history of Chinaman's Swamp in Coolah, and the Keys Market Garden in Mudgee Tracking the Dragon by Barbara Hickson (Part 2) In Part 2 of Tracking the Dragon Barbara tells us about the site of the capture of Chinese bushranger Sam Poo; the Chinese store at Cassilis and Winn's Market Garden, Gulgong. Site of capture of Chinese Bushranger Sam Poo. 3 Chinese Store at Cassilis. 6 Winn's Market Garden, Gulgong Tracking the Dragon by Barbara Hickson (Part 3) Wong Gee's Grave, Sofala; Isle of Dreams, Sofala Chinese in Sofala Diane Simmonds contributes to the collection of Chinese history in the Mudgee region with a history of the Chinese people in Sofala during the gold rush. Click here The editor of this site, Diane Simmonds, featured in the solo exhibition of Photomedia artist Holly Grech on Friday, 26^th September at the Umbrella Studio of Contemporary Arts in Townsville. Also... Diane de St Hilaire Simmonds poem features in new online poetry magazine, The Australia Times Poetry Magazine http://www.theaustraliatimes.com/emagazines/poetry/issue204/ Also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Australia-Times-Poetry-Magazine/386461994820768 NEW HISTORY AND ART BOOK ON MUDGEE A new book, Portrait of Mudgee and District by Judy Kurtz, with historical notes by Diane de St Hilaire Simmonds. A quality coffee table book of 30 colour prints and 6 sepia drawings by renown artist, Judy Kurtz, with historical notes by Diane de St Hilaire Simmonds, all of the Mudgee region, Gulgong, Rylstone, Kandos, Goolma, Wollar, Capertee, Hill End, Hargraves and more. Price: $39.95 plus postage and handling. Click here for more information! Updates to Let's Chat page: Let's Chat - heaps more appeals for help on Let's Chat Ancestry.com now has the NSW Census for 1891 and 1901, which lists people as Aboriginal. Robert Wilson and Catherine Robinson by Philip Scott The Patterson family of Mudgee by Chris Eaton, great grandson - Updated 20/2/13 The Eaton Family Tree by Sandy Eaton **Made in Mudgee – from Jane Paterson to Granny Eaton A short story by Great Grandson Chris Eaton Lets chat - John Johnson, Eliza Forster, Cox family, Wiradjuri, Georgy the Mudgee Aboriginal Policeman in the 1800's and Amande Lee Johnson the NPWS Ranger in the 1900's. I have posed some interests in my story and wonder if you can provide anymore inform Amanda Johnson - A Shared Sorry - The Sharing of Love - The Sharing of History "Winbourne" Mulgoa, West of Parramatta, NSW, "Burrundulla", "Menah" Stations, Mudgee and "Fernside" and "Rawdon" Homesteads, Rylstone, Central Western NSW; John Johnson, Eliza Forster, the Cox Family, the Mulgoa Clan of the Darug people & the Wiradjuri Nation. Author: Amanda Lee Johnson, 24 Jan 2014. Captains Flat NSW. Click here for more information Historical collector, Peter Simmonds' historic newspaper clipping collection. Historic Film Star Photo Collection Peter Simmonds' historic collection of film star photographs Joi’s apology,** by Rae Desmond Jones The poem is prominent in Rae's forthcoming volume of New & Selected Poems - to be launched on 11 August, 2013. It's the first in the book and our website has the privilege of a preview. If you would like to order the book, contact Rae on: raejones485@hotmail.com See more of Rae's poems on: http://www.poemhunter.com/rae-desmond-jones/ William Oxley By Paul Bech The story of William Oxley, Police Constable in Mudgee, and his murder. Murder and Mayhem Court Reports from The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW 1842-1954) Wilful Murder Stealing Manslaughter Highway Robbery, The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Patrick Malony, John Cain, and Thomas Odin, were indicted for stealing two saddles, two bridles, 17 California belts, and a quantity of other property belonging to Robert Fitzgerald, Ësq , M.C , at Reedy Creek, in April. 1852. Reg and Jenny Franks, Local POW Camps and Mosquito Bombers Learn about local prisoner of war camps and how Mosquito bombers were made from local timber that also supplied Slazenger tennis raquets.Kandos. Also how rice pudding challenged the war effort. Folk Tales: Laura Wallis - local historian's great grandmother writes: It was fine then till Saturday night and we had it (heavy rain) again. We slept under the dray and water was running under us and over us. A letter home to England of a woman's incredible journey to the goldfields at Maitland Bar. CRESP FAMILY COLLECTION Photos from their farm in Boinka Victoria 80 year old, Norah Kendall has collected the Cresp family photos together and shares some photos of a winnower from the old family farm at Boinka, Victoria. St Matthew's Catholic Church, Botobolar St Matthew's celebrated the 100th anniversary of the laying of its foundation stone in 2000 An Historical Tour of Appletree Flat You could pass the historical gems of Appletree Flat in a moment on a drive from Mudgee to Sydney, unaware of what you are driving through. Take the time to drive there and really look at the surrounding scenery and hear its historical ghosts talking to you. Railways - Capertee, Mudgee, Gulgong The coming of the railway to Capertee, Mudgee, Gulgong Elsie Winter's Memoirs of a train ride to Sydney Cooyal's own lady bushranger, Mary Ann Bugg and her Captain Thunderbolt. The romantic story of an educated Aboriginal woman, Mary Ann Bugg, the wife of well known bushranger, Captain Thunderbolt, Fred Ward. Read about this incredible woman and her infamous legendary husband. It is said Captain Thunderbolt would never have survived without the 'power behind the throne', Mary Ann Bugg. More bushranger information More about bushrangers, cattle duffers and stagecoach holdups in the Mudgee region. Folktales - Don Hobbs' Trip to a Bushranger's cave Don takes us by horseback from Nullo Mountain to Mount Pomany to see the remains of an old bushranger's cave. More Mudgee Poems About Us written by Diane de St Hilaire Simmonds Dreamtime Poems We are of one spirit poems of reconciliation written by Diane de St Hilaire Simmonds. New Aboriginal Family History Page The editor of this site is seeking to add a new section on Aboriginal family history for in the Mudgee region to help families find their relatives. If you have some information, no matter how small, please send it in to this site on info@mudgeehistory.com.au and we will see if we can provide the links to help find our Aboriginal heritage. Also in this section, we have new information on Diana Mudgee. Also in this section, tracing the family tree of Mary Ann Bugg Sofala Churches Capertee Village The history of Capertee Historical names of the Capertee families. by Mickel Cowie The Village of Sofala Gold at Sofala The Village of Hill End James Watsford 1st Mail Coach Driver over the Blue Mountains Cobb & Co Change Stations around Mudgee Cobb & Co at Sofala The old Chinese gold diggings at Worlds End The Wiradjuri People by Mickel Cowie
This article is submitted to us by Mickel Cowie. Mickel went to primary school at Charbon in 1939-42 and has since been a regular visitor since then to Rylstone; Kandos & Dunns Swamp and maintained contact with friends in the area and keenly interested in the history of the area. He is of Aboriginal descent through his maternal Madge Green (Lambert) line and the GGG Grandson of Peggy Lambert. Also posted on this site: Information regarding the descendants of the Green Family and the descendants of Peggy and Jim Lambert has been posted on this section. Let's Chat A new section for readers to help each other search out family history and other historical matters, and for researchers to add their findings. Pearson's Lookout - was it named after a cyclist? Great Grandmother Pearce. More on Peggy and Jimmy Lambert More on the Mawbey family and Jimmy Governor. Marjorie Partridge of Kandos Sarah Beames/Gardiner Aboriginal Ancestors on Winburdale and Brucedale near Bathurst James Watsford, first mail coachman Thomas Graham Wilson of Burrundulla and Waler Horses ...and more... Diana Mudgee Aboriginal Family Research page

Poems About Us
Henry Lawson's poems about the Mudgee region, plus Diane de St Hilaire Simmonds' local poems, plus poems by readers.Henry Lawson Poetry about the Mudgee District. Frank the Poet, or Francis MacNamara.
Wiradjuri and other Aboriginal Tribe links
There were two aboriginal tribes in the Triamble, Macquarie River region. The Aboriginal name for the Macquarie River was Wambool, meaning ‘meandering’. The tribe Thomas Charles Codogan Sutter first encountered in early 1830 was the Waradgerie tribe, and no instances were ever recorded of them attacking the early white settlers.
Can a button challenge Blackman's discovery of Mudgee?
Wal Ellison and his wife discovered an old soldier's button while metal detecting south of Mudgee along the Cudgegong River. He has done some research, and believes the button was lost by the original owner, who was a soldier of the 73rd Regiment on Foot, who were in the colony between 1810 and 1814, working from Newcastle. Mr Ellison thinks the find might just challenge traditional records that Blackman was the discoverer of Mudgee. Read the account and make a comment.
Triamble Valley Aboriginals
There were two aboriginal tribes in the Triamble, Macquarie River region. The Aboriginal name for the Macquarie River was Wambool, meaning ‘meandering’. The tribe Thomas Charles Codogan Sutter first encountered in early 1830 was the Waradgerie tribe, and no instances were ever recorded of them attacking the early white settlers.
Aboriginal Elder of Mudgee
A few miles north of Rylstone, the Great Dividing Range swings eastward, enclosing the fertile, almost treeless flats of the Cudgegong River. Where these flats give way to the rugged mountain country surrounding Nullo Mountain, in the small valleys that lie beneath Mount Never Never and Mount Kelgoola, many early settlers made their homes.
The Gold Rush and Cobb & Co
On the Mudgee, Eurunderee, Home Rule and Gulgong run, Cobb & Co were allowed 120 pounds per annum extra to convey the mails on from Gulgong to Mudgee immediately after they arrived at Gulgong, by a buggy or other light vehicle. This run was transferred from John Randell in 1883 to Cobb & Co.
Passages to the North-West Plains
The Colonial discovery and occupation of East-Central NSW, 1817-26 OXLEY, HOWE, LAWSON AND CUNNINGHAM MUDGEE, MERRIWA, AND MUSWELLBROOK Incorporating an extended discussion of the armed conflict between Aborigines, settlers and police in the Hunter Valley, 1825-26; By MICHAEL O’ROURKE
Local Character: Don Hobbs
Everyone in the Mudgee district would agree Don Hobbs is slightly eccentric, but they would also agree that he has a heart of gold and is there to help any community event he can.

Website Launch

Norman McVicker OAM, Launched this site on the 20^th February 2009

The history of the Mudgee region is being transformed by the age of information technology. Our history is to be online on a web site created by Diane Simmonds. I have been researching and writing a column about local history for over twenty years for the Mudgee Guardian. Once read, it disappears into archival catacombs. That is about to change and local history will be available at the flick of a switch.

The technique is not new but this method of recording allows the surfer of the net to have information available 24 hours a day. That is new-- and I am pleased to be associated with the project. I hope the community will also readily adopt this revolutionary approach of “history at your fingertips” and its easy accessibility for everyone—young and old.

Better still the web site is open for contributions. So I would urge would be historians to remember--what happens today is tomorrow’s history and needs to be recorded as it occurs. Mudgee has needed this web site for a long time.

It is with considerable pleasure and gratification I launch the website into space for all to enjoy.

About Norman McVicker (Click here)

Budgee Budgee on the other side of Mudgee (Click here)

Salute to the late Norman McVicker, OAM

1920 - 2012

"Some people are volunteer fire fighters, some rescue squad. I am too old to be fighting fires or rescuing people, so I do what I can do – I write the people’s history....

The Mudgee Valley

Introduction

Mudgee District Local History is a service that tells the story of the second region settled west of the Blue Mountains, a district with a fine tradition of heritage that is preserved and valued.

Mudgee is the Orana district, meaning welcome; the name Mudgee meaning ‘nest in the hills’ according to local Wiradjuri Aboriginal tradition. The region covered in this history includes Gulgong, Rylstone, Kandos, Cassilis, Ulan, Lue, Hargraves, Grattai, Windeyer, Wollar, the Turon, Bylong, Capertee, Hill End, Ilford and Sofala.

The region snuggles in the foothills and tablelands of the Blue Mountains, the rolling hills and mountain peaks preserving the secrets of yesteryear — and the district is rich in a heritage of the Wiradjuri nation, gold mining, Australian wool production, cattle and horse breeding and more recently fine wines, honey, olives and fine food, art and culture. Information about these genres and more will be added to the site as it grows.

The Mudgee region still retains many of its original villages, steeped in family traditions and local character. The villages are made up of generational families and newcomers, the first influx in the 1970s and 1980s of alternative lifestylers, or ’blockies’; the more recent semi-retired tree changers, but all bringing a multitude of art, craft, and entrepreneur skills, giving life and colour to the image of who and what we are as a community.

This is our story.

_____________________

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Mudgee Country: Wiradjuri Country

Beginning to Early Settlement
Aaron, Early Settlers, Martial Law
Windradine, A Dying Race
Peggy and Jimmy Lambert, Jimmy McDonald, Tom Penney
More about Peg and Jim Lambert — by Michael Cowie
Massacres, Martial Law is declared
Jimmy Governor
Black Trackers
Wally Washbrook Aboriginal Elder.
Wiradjuri Nation by Norman McVicker OAM
The Cox Family, Wiradjuri, Winbourne and Burrundulla
Triamble Valley Aboriginals (Jim Birtles)

Crossing the Blue Mountains and Early Settlement

Bathurst settled first. Blaxland, Wentworth, Lawson, Cox
Mudgee is discovered: James Blackman, William Lawson, Cox family
First settler names in the district and properties, Mudgee becomes a village
Early days of Mudgee, slab buildings, churches, inns, Post Office, Courthouse, etc. gold, Mudgee to Mullamuddy a municipality
Hospitals, Post Office, banks
First gold discoveries
Norman McVicker—Robert Hoddle did NOT design Mudgee
James Blackman
William Lawson.
William Cox, road builder across Blue Mountains
George Cox, son of William Cox
George Henry Cox, son of George Cox

Cobb & Co
Cobb & Co and the Gold Rush, bushrangers. Bushrangers, Rylstone, Home Rule, Denison Town. Cob & Co, Cooyal, bushrangers.. Mudgee drivers, innkeepers, coachmen. Cobb & Co Mail Routes in the Mudgee region. The Deane Family, coachbuilders Cobb & Co Change Stations around Mudgee

Gulgong
Gulgong Gold Prince of Wales Opera House Gulgong Cobb & Co Rolf Underwood’s Robbery Under Arms Rouse Family Henry Lawson Chinese Bushranger News Snippets

Rylstone Kandos

Kandos History
Kandos WWI Veteran
History of Rylstone by Aboriginal Elder Jim Birtles
Kandos High School Year 9 Their Service, Our Heritage World War I and World War II project.
WWI Sidney George Robbins
WWI Waler Horses & General Chauvel of the Light Horse Brigade
Simpson and his donkey & Two Boys
Waler horses
Waler Horses & Cobb & Co
WWI Laurie McLeod
WWI Fred & Harry Travis
Whose side was God on?
Women in war
WWI Thomas Chadwick
Newspaper report
WWI John & Margaret Currie
Junge Family Photos
Kandos National Archive Records
World War I photos
WWII Prisoner of War Stalag 13
WWII Women in War
James Nolan WWII MBE
Jack Ferguson WWII Navy
Jack Tindale WWII Airforce
Australian Prisoners of War
Val Wade British Force WWII

Participate

This website invites your participation.

If you have added knowledge, or a story to tell of days gone by in the Mudgee region, please email the author, Diane Simmonds by clicking info@mudgeehistory.com.au

This website is an ongoing work, guaranteed to be updated regularly as the research and community participation grows. Authors of research published on this site will have their own by line; they will keep their own copyright and a photo of themselves to go with their story is preferred. If you would like to contribute an article about the Mudgee region on this site, please email the author by clicking info@mudgeehistory.com.au

If you have old photos that might be useful on this site, please email the author by clicking info@mudgeehistory.com.au

For more information on the co-ordinator, please click here.

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Tracking the Dragon by Barbara Hickson (Part 2)

Tracking the Dragon by Barbara Hickson (Part 3)

Updates to Let's Chat page:

The Patterson family of Mudgee by Chris Eaton, great grandson - Updated 20/2/13

Introduction