sunday roster notice board the arms chronicle may chonicle a4...secretary trish montgomery 0402 086...
TRANSCRIPT
The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018
No 110 May/June 2018
www.armsofaustraliainn.org.au
The Arms Chronicle Cnr. Gardenia Ave, Great Western Highway,
Emu Plains, NSW 2751 Australia. Tel 02 4735 4394Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am - 2pm
1st & 3rd Sunday 1 - 4pm
Published by theNepean District Historical Society ©
PO Box 441, Penrith NSW 2751 AustraliaPhone: 02 4735 4394
www.armsofaustraliainn.org.au Contributions welcome. Please contact Lisa Finn Powell. Tel. 0424 466 823 email [email protected]
Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed in articles in The Arms Chronicle are those of the contributor and not the views of the Nepean District Historical Society.
Contact detailsEmail [email protected] Craig Werner 0417 271 328Vice President Ken Wright 0407 473 530Secretary Trish Montgomery 0402 086 088Treasurer/Public Officer Harry May 02 4732 1520 Museum Manager Ted Nowak 02 4735 8937Business Manager Carmel Heywood 0407 247 806 or email: [email protected] Manager Anthony Grainge 02 4731 2303Ordinary Committee Member Richard Nutt 0407 014 157Editor Chronicle/ Lisa Finn Powell 0424 466 823Publicity oremail:[email protected] Tours Craig Werner 0417 271 328 or email: [email protected] Advisory Representative Beth Moore 02 4735 1734Speakers Richard Nutt 0407 014 157Books, Trips, Photography Anthony Grainge 02 4731 2303 Catering Elsa Speechley 02 4721 4993
Gordon Leven
Tyres & More133 Russell Street, Emu Plains
02 4735 4500
Raffle PrizesMarie Viviani still needs raffleprizes, so if
you can help in providing some, please call Marie on 4735 6780, or take them to the inn.
If you can’t make your duty day, please try to change with somebody who can.
Please remember to sign in the diary in the meeting room, and write any information in the diary pertinent to your time on duty.
inside• Watkin Tench Luncheon• Colonial Australia and the American Civil War• Do you like history and working with children?• May’s Guest Speaker – Celie Gannon on the
Lack family and the Red Cow Hotel.• June’s Guest Speaker – Lisa Finn Powell on
mudlarking and British/Australian artefacts• Sunday Rosters
SUNDAY ROSTER NOTICE BOARD3 June Craig & Reg 17 June Elsa & Connie1 July Tony & Paul15 July Open Day
(all available volunteers)5 August Ken & Craig19 August Ted & Connie2 September Reg & Lisa16 September Elsa & KenPlease note that the inn alarm is now on.
Birthday wishes to the following members
Wed, 23 May Ellison Public SchoolThurs, 24 May Ellison Public SchoolSat, 26 May NDHS monthly meetingMon, 28 May Our Lady of the Way Primary SchoolThurs, 31 May Blackheath Area Neighbour Centre tourMon, 4 June Baulkam Hills Monday Seniors tourWed, 6 June York Road Public SchoolThurs, 7 June York Road Public SchoolMon, 11 June Queen's Birthday (Inn closed)Thurs, 14 June Wollemi CollegeSat, 16 June Tench LunchMon, 18 June Lansdowne House Retirement VillageWed, 20 June 355 Committee MeetingThurs, 21 June Canley Vale Public SchoolFri, 22 June Pegasus Bus Tour Devonshire TeaSat, 23 June NDHS monthly meetingWed, 27 June Emu Heights Public SchoolThurs, 28 June Canley Vale Public SchoolSun, 1 July DARTS Devonshire Tea
Dates for your diary• Orchid Show Melrose Hall, 30 June–1 July• Open Day at the Museum Sunday 15 July
Elsa Speechley and Joyce Moynahan.
The Nepean District Historical Society will be holding its Annual Historical Festival and Open Day at the Arms of Australia Inn Museum on Sunday July 15 at Emu Plains, NSW from 9am to 3pm. Admission is free.
A special exhibition of railway equipment will be on show in the grounds. There will also be a display in the Inn explaining the history of the building of the bridge and the railway line that went to Bathurst and the west.
The NSW Corps of Marines will be at the festival and will be in charge of keeping law and order, helped by members of a Light Horse Regiment from Windsor.TheMarineswillhavedisplays,drillsandfloggingsof
miscreants and re-enactments from the life and times of the early colony.
As in previous years, there will be activities for the young and old – including the animal farm, pony rides, the old fashioned school room where you can write on slates, Model T Ford cars plus plenty of stalls and food.
Entertainment will include the Tall Timbre Country and Western Band.
Historical Festival and Open Day Sunday July 15
The Arms of Australia Inn is on the corner of Great Western Highway and Gardenia Avenue, Emu Plains.
For more information call 02 4735 4394 during our opening hours on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday between 9am - 2pm and on the 1st and 3rd Sunday between 1pm - 4pm or email [email protected]
Trish Montgomery
Our guest speaker is Associate Professor Carol Liston AO BA (Hons), PhD, FRAHS, a prominent historian concerned with early colonial history with interests in people (convict, colonial born and free immigrant and their family histories), local history, heritage and the built environment. Her particular interest is the colonial development of the County of Cumberland (Greater Western Sydney), using land records, family history and surviving buildings to document the past.
She is President of the Royal Australian Historical Society and a member of the Professional Historians Association (NSW).
She teaches 19th century Australian history, local history and heritage at the University of Western Sydney. Her area of expertise is 19th century NSW; people (convict, colonial born and free immigrant); local history (particularly the colonial development of the County of Cumberland); heritage and the built environment; using archives; and land and property ownership.
Carol Liston's published work includes histories of Campbelltown, Parramatta and Liverpool; biographies of Sarah Wentworth, Thomas Brisbane and accounts of social life under Governor Macquarie and the convict women of the Female Factory at Parramatta.
She has also undertaken historical research for a number of heritage projects in Western Sydney.
www.armsofaustraliainn.org.auwww.armsofaustraliainn.org.au
The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018 The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018
2 7
For more information call (02) 4620 5789
The NSW Corps of Marines Inc. is a re-enactment group.The Marine Corps we depict was formed in 1786 specifically to come to
Australia to protect the new colony and preserve order. The 212 marines along with their families, other settlers and convicts on
board 11 ships witnessed the official Flag Raising held at Farm Cove on the 26th January, 1788.
Our May Guest Speaker is Celie Gannon
Our June Guest Speaker is Lisa Finn Powell
Our Guest Speaker for May is Celie Gannon, author, family historian and entertainment journalist who now works in the IT industry. She is married to British musician Jim Gannon. She is a descendent of the Lack family, whointhethefirsthalfofthe20thcenturyworkedin,and from 1925 owned, the Red Cow Hotel. They did a massive upgrade of the premises putting in electric lighting, septic tanks and hot and cold running water taps. The Red Cow started its life at Colyton in 1842 and transferred to Station Street Penrith in 1862. The Lack family sold the hotel in the 1950s. Celie is keen to preserve her family's past by documenting and passing on stories for future generations.
Our Guest Speaker for June is Lisa Finn Powell, American/British author, journalist, columnist, singer, vocal coach and choral conductor. She is a workshop facilitator through the business she founded, Inspire Harmony. She is a member of the Nepean District Historical Society and editor of The Arms Chronicle. She holds a B.A. from the University of Missouri in Communications, Art History and English Literature and an M.A. from the University of East London in Social Policy Research. She was born and raised in the American Midwest and lived in London for 20 years before immigrating to Australia in 2014. Her book, 'The Thin Time', is a memoir of grief and loss after the untimely death of her late husband, Paul Graznak,alawyer,amateurarchaeologistandkeenmudlark.Herbookchronicles some of their fascinating mudlarking experiences on the River Thames in London. She will be sharing stories with us of the artefacts that were discovered, which she will have on display for us to view, many of which are similar to those in the Arms of Australia collection.
Watkin Tench Luncheon
Saturday 16 June at O'Donoghue's Irish PubEach year in June, the NDHS holds a luncheon with a
guest to commemorate the day – 27 June 1789 – when Captain Watkin Tench sighted what is now known as the Nepean River.
Back in 1789, Captain Watkin Tench led an expedition to see what lay north west from Rose Hill (Parramatta). The group was made up of Mr Arndell, assistant surgeon of the settlement, Mr Lowe, surgeon's mate of the Sirius, Lieutenant William Dawes, a marine as well as a convict.
They camped overnight in the area between St Marys and Penrith, and the next day, an hour after setting out, they reached the river and the rest is history…
Date Saturday 16 June 2018 at 12 noon
Where O'Donoghue's Irish Pub, 99 Great Western Highway, Emu Plains
Cost $35.00 per person
To Book Call 4735 4394 on opening days or email [email protected] After hours call 0407 247 806
RSVP By 9 June 2018
by Trish Montgomery
www.armsofaustraliainn.org.auwww.armsofaustraliainn.org.au
The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018 The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018
6 3
Do you like history and working with children?
In light of the news that Russia would attack Australia in the event of war between Britain and the Union States, it is not surprising that when the Confederate State Ship Shenandoah arrived in Williamstown near Melbourne in January 1865 seeking repairs, she received a warm welcome.
The Shenandoah’s captain, James Waddell was a southern-style gentleman and charmed all-comers. The US consul in Victoria demanded that Waddell and his crew be arrested as ‘pirates’, but was politely ignored. What followed in the coming weeks were a string of official receptions, parties and galas(including a ‘Buccaneer’s Ball’) held for Captain Waddell and his crew. The Shenandoah became a huge tourist attraction; additional trains had to be put on to meet the sight-seeing demand. The Confederate ship set sail in February of 1865 to resume its highly successful attacks on Union whaling ships and took with it 42 Australians who had “stowed away” to join the Confederate cause as crew members.
The Shenandoah, having devastated the American whalingindustryinthePacificandcausedmajor injury to the Union war effort (whale products were essential for industry and military ordinance) surrendered, undefeated in November of 1865.
That was not the end of the affair. The United States sued Great Britain in the International Court in Geneva for damages deriving to American interests occasioned by the help Britain had given to Confederate ships in the colony of Victoria and elsewhere in the British Empire. In 1872 Britain paid the US a whopping $3,875,000 in compensation (the so-called ‘Alabama Claim’).
The surrender of The Shenandoah brought to a close the hostilities of the American Civil War. In being the last of the Confederate forces in operation, The Shenandoah literally fired the final shots of the CivilWar. It seems a strange twist that it was as likely, as not, anAustralianhandthatfiredthecannonthatsignalledthe close of a watershed moment in American history.
Colonial Australia and the American Civil War continued from page 5
The Nepean District Historical Society, which operates our of the Arms of Australia Inn Museum at Emu Plains, holds regular hands on school tours for students aged 7 to 10, to learn more about our history.
We are looking for people who have a few hours free to assist us with these tours.
The only requirement is that a ‘Working with Children Check’ is done as required by law.
For further information please contact Carmel on 0407 247 806 or email [email protected]. Phone 02 4735 4394 during opening hours.
129th Anniversary of Captain Tench’s First Sighting of the Nepean River
Captain Watkin Tench, born in England, volunteered at the young age of 28 to serve in New South Wales. He was assigned to command the marines on the First Fleet transport ship ‘Charlotte’, that reached Botany Bay on 20 January 1788.
About a year and a half after they landed, the ever curious and equallyscientific,Tench,ledanexploringpartyfurtherwestandeventually came upon the river.The river was later named after Evan Nepean who was a British
Cabinet Minister and an organiser of the First Fleet.Captain Tench kept meticulous journals and later authored books
on his experiences.
The lovely hamper we received as a thank you from the students and teachers of Holy Spirit Primary School, St. Clair who visited the museum on Wednesday 9 May.
‘We found ourselves on the banks of a river, nearly as broad
as the Thames at Putney and apparently of great depth’
‘We continued to march all day through a country untrodden before
byanEuropeanfoot.Savethatamelancholycrownowandthenflew
croaking over head, or a kanguroo was seen to bound at a distance,
the picture of solitude was complete and undisturbed.’
"I do not hesitate to declare that the natives of New South Wales
possess a considerable portion of that acumen, or sharpness of
intellect, which bespeaks genius"
Quotes by Watkin Tench
Lisa Finn Powell
www.armsofaustraliainn.org.au www.armsofaustraliainn.org.au
The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018 The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018
4 5
In April, the NSW Corps of Marines joined other historical re-enactment groups in the annual Ironfest Arts Festival held at Lithgow Showground. In previous years the focus has been on the Napoleonic period of history, and the NSWCOM enthusiastically portrays the soldiers of Napoleon’s Grand Armee. This year Ironfest’s ‘Wild West’ theme called for a shift of time-period to the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the opportunity for our members to don the uniforms, and testout thebattlefield tactics,of theopposingUnion and Confederate States. In this article I take the opportunity to share some of the not so well-known connections between Colonial Australia and this
conflict in North America that I uncovered as partof my preparation and research as a participating historical re-enactor.
American Civil War historian, Barry Crompton, has identifiedaround 100Australian-bornmenwhofought in the American Civil War. Add to this a further 40 New Zealanders, and a swath of Civil War Veterans whocameouttotheAustraliancoloniespost-conflict,and we begin to get a sense of the rich human trans-pacificexchangeofpeople,tradeandideasofthe19th century.
Although distant neighbours, North America’s connection with Colonial Australia is a fascinating
one.NSWCorpsofMarinesOfficerWatkinTench,wasa veteran of the American War of Independence and, as early as the 1790s, American whalers were regular visitors to Sydney Town with anchorage at Neutral Bay. American merchant ships, laden with all kinds of essential goods came to be welcomed visitors to the eastern Australian seaboard. By the mid- 19th century American whalers and merchantmen were complemented by large numbers of North American gold prospectors lured to the antipodes by the Australian Gold Rushes that followed hard on the Californian gold strikes of 1848. American prospectors were politically active too; in the 1854 Eureka Stockade uprising at Ballarat, they loudly added their ‘republican’ sentiments (and pistols) to the furore. When the American Civil War broke out in 1861 the familiar, well-trod economic and demographic avenues between Australia and North America were to see Colonial AustraliadrawnintotheAmericanconflict.
The Russian Threat to Australia in the American Civil War
During the American Civil War British opinion was divided. On the one hand Britain, who had championed the anti-slavery cause, found common ground with the Union’s promise to end slavery. On the other hand there was sympathy for The Confederacy. The British textile industry relied heavily on the supply of cotton from the Southern States and the Union naval blockade of Confederate ports cut supply causing the ‘Lancashire Cotton Drought’. The prospect of a Union victory raised concerns about the economic viability of the American cotton industry without slavery and, incidentally, gave birth to the Queensland cotton industry as an alternative source of supply.
There were also geo-political reasons for Britain to be watchful. The Union had a long and cosy relationship with Imperial Russia. Britain had recently fought the Crimean War (1853-1856) to curtail Russian expansion into the Eastern Mediterranean and was fearful that Russia’s alliance with the Union would bolster Russian expansion in the Pacific. Concerns heightened when,in 1863 at the Union’s invitation, San Francisco and New York simultaneously hostedsquadronsoftheRussianfleetasa‘welcomedally’ inatimeofconflict.The Russian squadrons stayed in US waters for almost a year before returning
home. The closeness of the relationship between Russia andtheUnionisreflectedintheRussiansaleofAlaskato the United States in 1867.
Britain’s fears that the Russian presence in North America was directed at her were not unfounded. In 1863 a Russian officer of Polish descent defectedfrom the Russian Pacific fleet and, in 1864, broughtnews to the British authorities that the Russian fleethad secret/sealed orders to attack British naval targets in the event of War between Britain and the Union, and to threaten to do so if Britain gave diplomatic recognition to the Confederate States of America (CSA). The secret Russian plan included orders to shell Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart and knock out their coastal defences. The arrival of this news in Australia sent the colonial administrators into a spin and sparked renewed efforts for upgrading coastal defences. Fear of Russia was to drive Australian colonial defence planning for decades to come.
The Visit of the Confederate Ship CSS Shenandoah in Melbourne, 1865
Britain and, by extension, her colonies remained officially neutral throughout the American Civil War;she recognised the belligerent status of the CSA but gave the Confederacy no official diplomaticrecognition. However, when Britain sold warships to the Confederacy and one of her colonies (Victoria) hosted, resupplied and crewed the CSS Shenandoah contrary to the spirit of strict ‘neutrality’, there was an outcry from the Union States.
Images 1-4: Scenes from Ironfest 2018 ‘American Civil War Battle Re-enactment’ CSS Shenandoah in dry dock in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia, 1865
Colonial Australia and the American Civil War
by John Staats, President NSW Corps of Marines
…continued next page
www.armsofaustraliainn.org.au www.armsofaustraliainn.org.au
The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018 The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018
4 5
In April, the NSW Corps of Marines joined other historical re-enactment groups in the annual Ironfest Arts Festival held at Lithgow Showground. In previous years the focus has been on the Napoleonic period of history, and the NSWCOM enthusiastically portrays the soldiers of Napoleon’s Grand Armee. This year Ironfest’s ‘Wild West’ theme called for a shift of time-period to the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the opportunity for our members to don the uniforms, and testout thebattlefield tactics,of theopposingUnion and Confederate States. In this article I take the opportunity to share some of the not so well-known connections between Colonial Australia and this
conflict in North America that I uncovered as partof my preparation and research as a participating historical re-enactor.
American Civil War historian, Barry Crompton, has identifiedaround 100Australian-bornmenwhofought in the American Civil War. Add to this a further 40 New Zealanders, and a swath of Civil War Veterans whocameouttotheAustraliancoloniespost-conflict,and we begin to get a sense of the rich human trans-pacificexchangeofpeople,tradeandideasofthe19th century.
Although distant neighbours, North America’s connection with Colonial Australia is a fascinating
one.NSWCorpsofMarinesOfficerWatkinTench,wasa veteran of the American War of Independence and, as early as the 1790s, American whalers were regular visitors to Sydney Town with anchorage at Neutral Bay. American merchant ships, laden with all kinds of essential goods came to be welcomed visitors to the eastern Australian seaboard. By the mid- 19th century American whalers and merchantmen were complemented by large numbers of North American gold prospectors lured to the antipodes by the Australian Gold Rushes that followed hard on the Californian gold strikes of 1848. American prospectors were politically active too; in the 1854 Eureka Stockade uprising at Ballarat, they loudly added their ‘republican’ sentiments (and pistols) to the furore. When the American Civil War broke out in 1861 the familiar, well-trod economic and demographic avenues between Australia and North America were to see Colonial AustraliadrawnintotheAmericanconflict.
The Russian Threat to Australia in the American Civil War
During the American Civil War British opinion was divided. On the one hand Britain, who had championed the anti-slavery cause, found common ground with the Union’s promise to end slavery. On the other hand there was sympathy for The Confederacy. The British textile industry relied heavily on the supply of cotton from the Southern States and the Union naval blockade of Confederate ports cut supply causing the ‘Lancashire Cotton Drought’. The prospect of a Union victory raised concerns about the economic viability of the American cotton industry without slavery and, incidentally, gave birth to the Queensland cotton industry as an alternative source of supply.
There were also geo-political reasons for Britain to be watchful. The Union had a long and cosy relationship with Imperial Russia. Britain had recently fought the Crimean War (1853-1856) to curtail Russian expansion into the Eastern Mediterranean and was fearful that Russia’s alliance with the Union would bolster Russian expansion in the Pacific. Concerns heightened when,in 1863 at the Union’s invitation, San Francisco and New York simultaneously hostedsquadronsoftheRussianfleetasa‘welcomedally’ inatimeofconflict.The Russian squadrons stayed in US waters for almost a year before returning
home. The closeness of the relationship between Russia andtheUnionisreflectedintheRussiansaleofAlaskato the United States in 1867.
Britain’s fears that the Russian presence in North America was directed at her were not unfounded. In 1863 a Russian officer of Polish descent defectedfrom the Russian Pacific fleet and, in 1864, broughtnews to the British authorities that the Russian fleethad secret/sealed orders to attack British naval targets in the event of War between Britain and the Union, and to threaten to do so if Britain gave diplomatic recognition to the Confederate States of America (CSA). The secret Russian plan included orders to shell Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart and knock out their coastal defences. The arrival of this news in Australia sent the colonial administrators into a spin and sparked renewed efforts for upgrading coastal defences. Fear of Russia was to drive Australian colonial defence planning for decades to come.
The Visit of the Confederate Ship CSS Shenandoah in Melbourne, 1865
Britain and, by extension, her colonies remained officially neutral throughout the American Civil War;she recognised the belligerent status of the CSA but gave the Confederacy no official diplomaticrecognition. However, when Britain sold warships to the Confederacy and one of her colonies (Victoria) hosted, resupplied and crewed the CSS Shenandoah contrary to the spirit of strict ‘neutrality’, there was an outcry from the Union States.
Images 1-4: Scenes from Ironfest 2018 ‘American Civil War Battle Re-enactment’ CSS Shenandoah in dry dock in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia, 1865
Colonial Australia and the American Civil War
by John Staats, President NSW Corps of Marines
…continued next page
www.armsofaustraliainn.org.auwww.armsofaustraliainn.org.au
The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018 The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018
6 3
Do you like history and working with children?
In light of the news that Russia would attack Australia in the event of war between Britain and the Union States, it is not surprising that when the Confederate State Ship Shenandoah arrived in Williamstown near Melbourne in January 1865 seeking repairs, she received a warm welcome.
The Shenandoah’s captain, James Waddell was a southern-style gentleman and charmed all-comers. The US consul in Victoria demanded that Waddell and his crew be arrested as ‘pirates’, but was politely ignored. What followed in the coming weeks were a string of official receptions, parties and galas(including a ‘Buccaneer’s Ball’) held for Captain Waddell and his crew. The Shenandoah became a huge tourist attraction; additional trains had to be put on to meet the sight-seeing demand. The Confederate ship set sail in February of 1865 to resume its highly successful attacks on Union whaling ships and took with it 42 Australians who had “stowed away” to join the Confederate cause as crew members.
The Shenandoah, having devastated the American whalingindustryinthePacificandcausedmajor injury to the Union war effort (whale products were essential for industry and military ordinance) surrendered, undefeated in November of 1865.
That was not the end of the affair. The United States sued Great Britain in the International Court in Geneva for damages deriving to American interests occasioned by the help Britain had given to Confederate ships in the colony of Victoria and elsewhere in the British Empire. In 1872 Britain paid the US a whopping $3,875,000 in compensation (the so-called ‘Alabama Claim’).
The surrender of The Shenandoah brought to a close the hostilities of the American Civil War. In being the last of the Confederate forces in operation, The Shenandoah literally fired the final shots of the CivilWar. It seems a strange twist that it was as likely, as not, anAustralianhandthatfiredthecannonthatsignalledthe close of a watershed moment in American history.
Colonial Australia and the American Civil War continued from page 5
The Nepean District Historical Society, which operates out of the Arms of Australia Inn Museum at Emu Plains, holds regular hands on school tours for students aged 7 to 10, to learn more about our history.
We are looking for people who have a few hours free to assist us with these tours.
The only requirement is that a ‘Working with Children Check’ is done as required by law.
For further information please contact Carmel on 0407 247 806 or email [email protected]. Phone 02 4735 4394 during opening hours.
129th Anniversary of Captain Tench’s First Sighting of the Nepean River
Captain Watkin Tench, born in England, volunteered at the young age of 28 to serve in New South Wales. He was assigned to command the marines on the First Fleet transport ship ‘Charlotte’, that reached Botany Bay on 20 January 1788.
About a year and a half after they landed, the ever curious and equallyscientific, Tench,ledanexploringpartyfurtherwestandeventually came upon the river.The river was later named after Evan Nepean who was a British
Cabinet Minister and an organiser of the First Fleet.Captain Tench kept meticulous journals and later authored books
on his experiences.
The lovely hamper wereceived as a thank youfrom the students and teachers of Holy SpiritPrimary School, St. Clairwho visited the museumon Wednesday 9 May.
‘We found ourselves on the banks of a river, nearly as broad
as the Thames at Putney and apparently of great depth’
‘We continued to march all day through a country untrodden before
by anEuropeanfoot.Save that amelancholycrownow andthenflew
croaking over head, or a kanguroo was seen to bound at a distance,
the picture of solitude was complete and undisturbed.’
"I do not hesitate to declare that the natives of New South Wales
possess a considerable portion of that acumen, or sharpness of
intellect, which bespeaks genius"
Quotes by Watkin Tench
Lisa Finn Powell
Our guest speaker is Associate Professor Carol Liston AO BA (Hons), PhD, FRAHS, a prominent historian concerned with early colonial history with interests in people (convict, colonial born and free immigrant and their family histories), local history, heritage and the built environment. Her particular interest is the colonial development of the County of Cumberland (Greater Western Sydney), using land records, family history and surviving buildings to document the past.
She is President of the Royal Australian Historical Society and a member of the Professional Historians Association (NSW).
She teaches 19th century Australian history, local history and heritage at the University of Western Sydney. Her area of expertise is 19th century NSW; people (convict, colonial born and free immigrant); local history (particularly the colonial development of the County of Cumberland); heritage and the built environment; using archives; and land and property ownership.
Carol Liston's published work includes histories of Campbelltown, Parramatta and Liverpool; biographies of Sarah Wentworth, Thomas Brisbane and accounts of social life under Governor Macquarie and the convict women of the Female Factory at Parramatta.
She has also undertaken historical research for a number of heritage projects in Western Sydney.
www.armsofaustraliainn.org.auwww.armsofaustraliainn.org.au
The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018 The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018
2 7
For more information call (02) 4620 5789
The NSW Corps of Marines Inc. is a re-enactment group.The Marine Corps we depict was formed in 1786 specifically to come to
Australia to protect the new colony and preserve order. The 212 marines along with their families, other settlers and convicts on
board 11 ships witnessed the official Flag Raising held at Farm Cove on the 26th January, 1788.
Our May Guest Speaker is Celie Gannon
Our June Guest Speaker is Lisa Finn Powell
Our Guest Speaker for May is Celie Gannon, author, family historian and entertainment journalist who now works in the IT industry. She is married to British musician Jim Gannon. She is a descendent of the Lack family, whointhethefirsthalfofthe20thcenturyworkedin,and from 1925 owned, the Red Cow Hotel. They did a massive upgrade of the premises putting in electric lighting, septic tanks and hot and cold running water taps. The Red Cow started its life at Colyton in 1842 and transferred to Station Street Penrith in 1862. The Lack family sold the hotel in the 1950s. Celie is keen to preserve her family's past by documenting and passing on stories for future generations.
Our Guest Speaker for June is Lisa Finn Powell, American/British author, journalist, columnist, singer, vocal coach and choral conductor. She is a workshop facilitator through the business she founded, Inspire Harmony. She is a member of the Nepean District Historical Society and editor of The Arms Chronicle. She holds a B.A. from the University of Missouri in Communications, Art History and English Literature and an M.A. from the University of East London in Social Policy Research. She was born and raised in the American Midwest and lived in London for 20 years before immigrating to Australia in 2014. Her book, 'The Thin Time', is a memoir of grief and loss after the untimely death of her late husband, Paul Graznak,alawyer,amateurarchaeologistandkeenmudlark.Herbookchronicles some of their fascinating mudlarking experiences on the River Thames in London. She will be sharing stories with us of the artefacts that were discovered, which she will have on display for us to view, many of which are similar to those in the Arms of Australia collection.
Watkin Tench Luncheon
Saturday 16 June at O'Donoghue's Irish PubEach year in June, the NDHS holds a luncheon with a
guest to commemorate the day – 27 June 1789 – when Captain Watkin Tench sighted what is now known as the Nepean River.
Back in 1789, Captain Watkin Tench led an expedition to see what lay north west from Rose Hill (Parramatta). The group was made up of Mr Arndell, assistant surgeon of the settlement, Mr Lowe, surgeon's mate of the Sirius, Lieutenant William Dawes, a marine as well as a convict.
They camped overnight in the area between St Marys and Penrith, and the next day, an hour after setting out, they reached the river and the rest is history…
Date Saturday 16 June 2018 at 12 noon
Where O'Donoghue's Irish Pub, 99 Great Western Highway, Emu Plains
Cost $35.00 per person
To Book Call 4735 4394 on opening days or email [email protected] After hours call 0407 247 806
RSVP By 9 June 2018
by Trish Montgomery
The Nepean District Historical Society May/June 2018
No 110 May/June 2018
www.armsofaustraliainn.org.au
The Arms Chronicle Cnr. Gardenia Ave, Great Western Highway,
Emu Plains, NSW 2751 Australia. Tel 02 4735 4394Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am - 2pm
1st & 3rd Sunday 1 - 4pm
Published by theNepean District Historical Society ©
PO Box 441, Penrith NSW 2751 AustraliaPhone: 02 4735 4394
www.armsofaustraliainn.org.au Contributions welcome. Please contact Lisa Finn Powell. Tel. 0424 466 823 email [email protected]
Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed in articles in The Arms Chronicle are those of the contributor and not the views of the Nepean District Historical Society.
Contact detailsEmail [email protected] Craig Werner 0417 271 328Vice President Ken Wright 0407 473 530Secretary Trish Montgomery 0402 086 088Treasurer/Public Officer Harry May 02 4732 1520 Museum Manager Ted Nowak 02 4735 8937Business Manager Carmel Heywood 0407 247 806 or email: [email protected] Manager Anthony Grainge 02 4731 2303Ordinary Committee Member Richard Nutt 0407 014 157Editor Chronicle/ Lisa Finn Powell 0424 466 823Publicity oremail:[email protected] Tours Craig Werner 0417 271 328 or email: [email protected] Advisory Representative Beth Moore 02 4735 1734Speakers Richard Nutt 0407 014 157Books, Trips, Photography Anthony Grainge 02 4731 2303 Catering Elsa Speechley 02 4721 4993
Gordon Leven
Tyres & More133 Russell Street, Emu Plains
02 4735 4500
Raffle PrizesMarie Viviani still needs raffleprizes, so if
you can help in providing some, please call Marie on 4735 6780, or take them to the inn.
If you can’t make your duty day, please try to change with somebody who can.
Please remember to sign in the diary in the meeting room, and write any information in the diary pertinent to your time on duty.
inside• Watkin Tench Luncheon• Colonial Australia and the American Civil War• Do you like history and working with children?• May’s Guest Speaker – Celie Gannon on the
Lack family and the Red Cow Hotel.• June’s Guest Speaker – Lisa Finn Powell on
mudlarking and British/Australian artefacts• Sunday Rosters
SUNDAY ROSTER NOTICE BOARD3 June Craig & Reg 17 June Elsa & Connie1 July Tony & Paul15 July Open Day
(all available volunteers)5 August Ken & Craig19 August Ted & Connie2 September Reg & Lisa16 September Elsa & KenPlease note that the inn alarm is now on.
Birthday wishes to the following members
Wed, 23 May Ellison Public SchoolThurs, 24 May Ellison Public SchoolSat, 26 May NDHS monthly meetingMon, 28 May Our Lady of the Way Primary SchoolThurs, 31 May Blackheath Area Neighbour Centre tourMon, 4 June Baulkam Hills Monday Seniors tourWed, 6 June York Road Public SchoolThurs, 7 June York Road Public SchoolMon, 11 June Queen's Birthday (Inn closed)Thurs, 14 June Wollemi CollegeSat, 16 June Tench LunchMon, 18 June Lansdowne House Retirement VillageWed, 20 June 355 Committee MeetingThurs, 21 June Canley Vale Public SchoolFri, 22 June Pegasus Bus Tour Devonshire TeaSat, 23 June NDHS monthly meetingWed, 27 June Emu Heights Public SchoolThurs, 28 June Canley Vale Public SchoolSun, 1 July DARTS Devonshire Tea
Dates for your diary• Orchid Show Melrose Hall, 30 June–1 July• Open Day at the Museum Sunday 15 July
Elsa Speechley and Joyce Moynahan.
The Nepean District Historical Society will be holding its Annual Historical Festival and Open Day at the Arms of Australia Inn Museum on Sunday July 15 at Emu Plains, NSW from 9am to 3pm. Admission is free.
A special exhibition of railway equipment will be on show in the grounds. There will also be a display in the Inn explaining the history of the building of the bridge and the railway line that went to Bathurst and the west.
The NSW Corps of Marines will be at the festival and will be in charge of keeping law and order, helped by members of a Light Horse Regiment from Windsor.TheMarineswillhavedisplays,drillsandfloggingsof
miscreants and re-enactments from the life and times of the early colony.
As in previous years, there will be activities for the young and old – including the animal farm, pony rides, the old fashioned school room where you can write on slates, Model T Ford cars plus plenty of stalls and food.
Entertainment will include the Tall Timbre Country and Western Band.
Historical Festival and Open Day Sunday July 15
The Arms of Australia Inn is on the corner of Great Western Highway and Gardenia Avenue, Emu Plains.
For more information call 02 4735 4394 during our opening hours on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday between 9am - 2pm and on the 1st and 3rd Sunday between 1pm - 4pm or email [email protected]
Trish Montgomery