What's New? What's New? What's New? What's New? 
You are invited to the booklaunch for Diane's new book for children, Australian Fairy Poems, with beautiful artwork by Mudgee artist Judy Kurtz, to be launched November 18, 11am at The Stables, Market Street (beside the Tourist Office) Mudgee. Please let Diane know if you and your children would like to attend. OR Order now for Christmas. Email: dzsimmonds@bigpond.com Cobb & Co driver Walter Foreman Do you know the Morgan/Noon family of Windeyer? Click here and scroll down to Morgan.
A LETTER FROM CAROLE FORD on World's End. Click here AND ROBERT STOCK ALSO COMMENTS ON WORLD'S END  Do you know where these old red cedar 'rectory' windows came from? Click here and scroll to 'w'
Plaque to remember police officer William Oxley now in Mudgee Police Station. Click Let's Chat with Chris Eaton Update and two new photos for The Patterson family of Mudgee by Chris Eaton, great grandson Let's Chat: Who knows about George and Doris Caulthard? - Museum member; undertaker, radio announcer, owner of Central Motel; Florist and Laundromat. Please help Granddaughter with information. Click here. Scroll down to 'C' Do you know anything about the Methodist Church at Wonambula? If so, please click here 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 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
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, 26th 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 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 | 
