Unfortunately, 2022-2023 was a sad year for our Society. During this year, several of our members experienced significant health issues, and unfortunately, we lost members and/or people dear to many members.
Neil Louis is especially missed. A lovely man, he had boundless energy for aviation history and is particularly remembered in our Society for the incredible work he did on the history of the 7th Elementary Flying Training School at Western Junction.
Condolences were also expressed to Tony McCormack and his family on the passing of his wife after a short illness.
We also had to say goodbye to Peter Riley. Peter was a long-time stalwart of the Evandale community and is remembered particularly by me for his roles in Evandale’s miniature railway and the community centre.
Louis Wotherspoon continues to experience significant health issues and our best wishes are with her and Laurie. We also send our best wishes to Chris and Heather Leggett and Jan Foote who are also having health issues. Thankfully, Judy Hazelwood appears to be flying on all cylinders again.
My thoughts go out to all those members experiencing health issues, and I am sure that all members hope that they have better times ahead.
Thanks
I would like to take some time to thank all our members for their ongoing efforts to record, report, and maintain the history of the greater Evandale area. In particular, I want to thank those members with designated roles within the Society for their ongoing efforts.
Laurie, our Treasurer, like he has for many years, worked hard for the Society and it was not just doing the books. He does so many things for the Society.
Jenny and Lyn undertook numerous family history research projects arising from client enquiries. I have included a list of research topics later in this report and one can see from the size of the list and knowing that most of this work is down to these two people, just how fortunate we are to have them in the society. Apart from adding to the knowledge of the those requesting the information, these efforts also added to our history records.
I would like to thank Ana her work on the Society’s collection of information and artefacts. Many of our documents have been scanned thus further enhancing the security and longevity of our collection.
Bob’s work as Secretary is much appreciated. A lot of work goes into doing the minutes and meeting agenda, but he also maintains our web site and organises ANZAC Day.
I should also put on record all the fabulous and tireless research carried out by Stephanie. She is always bringing interesting information and knowledge to our meetings.
Thanks also go out to the new members who joined the Society during 2022-2023. Judy and Bruce are already making useful contributions. Some new members are remote from Evandale, even interstate, but their contributions to our history studies are greatly appreciated.
Significant Society Projects
During the year, the society has undertaken a variety of projects. Some were undertaken individually, and some were collective efforts. Following is a snapshot of these projects.
ANZAC Day Services
The ANZAC Day Memorial Services were organised again this year by Vice President and Secretary Bob and a small group of helpers. They were well attended, solemn and moving. Crowds were certainly up this year. The dawn service included a bagpiper playing a lament while the names of the fallen from Evandale since the Boer War were read out. The presentation of the main address at the 11:00am service was given by one of our Society’s members, Bruce Argent-Smith. Thanks go out to Laurie for making the new flag staff for the Aboriginal flag, which was flown for the first time at our ANZAC services.
The people of Evandale are rightly proud of how their Village pays tribute to those that sacrificed for the Nation.
Boer War Veterans
A list of Evandale district Boer war veterans was compiled by Kim from available resources and is now on the Society’s website. In the future, this work could contribute to a larger list of Evandale district veterans of all wars which will/may be used to create honour boards for the memorial hall.
Society’s birthday
The Evandale History Society turns 33 in June this year. It was established on 11 June 1990 after a public meeting. The members over the 33 years have done an amazing job in establishing and maintaining a wonderful collection of artefacts and information. Over that time, members have also helped many, many people to trace their ancestors. The Evandale History Society has become one of the premier volunteer societies in the State, if not Australia. So, my thanks go out to members past and present. Members will be looking for a way to celebrate this achievement.
Evandale Primary School History Project
Selected students from the Evandale State School commenced individual history research projects. Laurie has been working with these students as a mentor. It is hoped that the student’s work can be incorporated into a Murray Family or other information board in Pioneer Park. Pioneer Park is on the Tasmanian Heritage Register (THR Place #5034) and so any new works will require Heritage Tasmania approval. It is proposed that the Society make a submission for a Community Grant for the proposed Murray sign/information board.
Memorial to Peter and Teecie Cruse
A donation from the Buffalo Lodge was made for a picnic table and chairs in Time Traveller statue park in memory of Peter and Teecie Cruse. The Society took this proposal to the Northern Midlands Council but was knocked back due to several objections. Society members will now work to see if the picnic facilities can be placed in Buffalo Park.
New IT Equipment and relevant software
New IT Equipment and relevant software were obtained via a Culture, Heritage and Arts Regional Tourism (CHART) program grant. The hardware and software were installed and is now operating. In addition to day to day administrative and research operations, this equipment will be used for ongoing digitisation of records.
Significant Trees in Evandale
Significant Trees in Evandale’s public and community places have been photographed and work on species identification, reasons for significance, GPS location and documenting known history is underway. This information will be presented to the Northern Midlands Council on completion. Some of the trees may be put forward for inclusion on the National Trust register of historic trees.
It is proposed that, in the future, landowners will be invited to submit pictures and stories of significant trees on their land with the possibility of producing a booklet with these photos and stories.
7 EFTS Monument Maintenance
The 7 EFTS Memorial was becoming hard to read. Laurie did a quick touch-up job with white paint on a wet day prior to the ANZAC services. A better fix will be undertaken in the future.
Deddington School Records
Records going back to 1870 were loaned to the Society. Lyn has been working with Anna to take digital images of the material.
Nile War Memorial
Queechy High School students created a brochure providing some history of some of the soldiers on the Nile War Memorial. This was part of their history studies and members provided feedback to the teacher leading the students in this endeavour. In addition, the students were entertained by a visit to the Society’s history rooms where they heard several stories about Evandale’s history. The school presented the brochure to the Society and Information Centre for distribution.
Bus Tour
A Norther Tasmanian tour group visited Evandale in February and Laurie, Lyn, Stephanie and myself provided information on historic sites and stories of Evandale. It was a highly successful and much appreciated tour.
Cannons from Cambock
Records show that there were two cannons belonging to Capt. Barclay from Cambock which were used for ceremonial occasions in Evandale. These cannons were thought to be long lost. However, these cannons have now been found. One has been purchased by a resident of the village – the owner of the house on which they were located after they left Cambock. The purchased cannon has been cleaned up and a wooden wheeled carriage has been made. During the clean-up, 4 original cannon balls were located inside the cannon.
Proposed redevelopment of Pioneer Park
Discussions are underway to enhance the park whilst retaining the significant heritage links. A GPS activated phone app or displayed QR codes are being explored to relate information and stories to visitors of the park and its cemetery. Work on the stories has commenced.
Clarendon House Garden History Tour
Notes were prepared to provide a garden history tour of Clarendon House.
Evandale History articles for the Local Newspaper
Following contact from the editor of the Courier, a series of 300-400 word Evandale history stories were provided for publication.
Kennedy-Murray Vault
The location of the vault in Pioneer Park was marked with a bronze plaque and sandstone plinth. This initially required the weed infested thicket to be cleared before the plinth and plaque could be positioned. Thanks must go out to Laurie for his work on making this happen.
De-humidifier
To protect the artefacts on display in the Murray Room from mould, the Society purchased a de-humidifier. Sally had been monitoring the humidity in the cabinets before the purchase and has now reported the de-humidifier is working well and the humidity has not only dropped in the museum room but also the display cabinets.
Firearms license
The firearms that are on display in out museum have been modified to make them unusable and have been so for many years. Despite this, they are still required to be licensed to an individual. Laurie has once again taken this on. Discussions with the Firearms Registry – Tasmania Police indicate under current legislation there is no special provision for discounted licence fees for inoperable museum firearms.
Murray Prize
A Murray Medal was not presented to a pupil from Evandale School by the Society this year as there are no further medals to be presented. One final medal has been added to our history collection. In its place, a certificate was presented to accompany the book prize that is bought from the earnings on money previously presented to the school by the Society for this purpose.
Possible Future Projects
Projects discussed by the Society in 2022-2023 to be possibly commenced in the future include:
- Converting non-digital video images and audio recordings to digital format
- Reinstalling the 1929 Flood Marker sign near the corner of Leighlands Road and Evandale Road
- History walk around Evandale for Launceston Probus
- Potentially 2026 being a possible 200 year celebration of the construction of Cambock, Fallgrove, and Briar Hill and also capture of the outlaw, Mathew Brady or staging a ‘heritage day/weekend’ in Evandale
- Development of “History Postcards” featuring stories or events in Evandale’s history
- Creation of Honour Boards for the Memorial Hall featuring names of Evandale District veterans from all wars.
Research
People and places researched included:
- Northern Midlands Council request for photographs of Evandale Council Councillors and Wardens
- Antone family grave location
- Fredrick and Louise Lewis
- Rebecca Young (aka Rebecca Kennedy) and Robert Young and Everton property
- Antone Family (Snake Banks)
- Exact location of Snake Banks
- Bryan family (Evandale Butcher
- Joseph and Marianne Pettingell (Postmaster at Evandale)
- Sarah Jane Wright
- Charles Heath
- James Wright
- Connections with the Railways and ‘Springvale’
- Ivy Johnson
- Hannah Murphy and her partner Timothy Daley / Daly who were involved in a dispute with their neighbours John and Elizabeth Barefoot / Barfoot
- Mary Shaughnessy and John Button
- John Smith and Marchington
- Saggers family
- George Millington – Mary Francis
- Elizabeth Nichols – David Gibson and Eliza Nichols/Holmes and Wickham Whitchurch
- JR Glover living for a while at Anjour Villa
- Stewart family
- Hartnoll and Trinder families
- Blessington New Hall and Ryan family
- John Cross, George Cross and Mary-Anne Cross
- Alfred Sutton, David Murray, Alphetta Sutton, Harry Pogue, William Thomas (or Thomas William) Cox, and location of Station Master’s House
- James Pearce and history of Nile/Lymington
- Rev Robert Russell
- Samuel Daymon
- John Cross, George Cross and Mary-Anne Cross
- Eyles family
- HMAS Sydney linkage with Evandale
- History of 7 Collins Street
- Old Blessington Band photo
- Chamberlain family
- establishment date of Morven Park
- Mark Redburn
- George Robotham
- Ridgeside property
- Lakeland & Downward
- Henry Tweed Pyke & Charlotte Hayes
Members’ History Contributions
His year, members, as usual, provided updates on their own history research efforts or shared records that thought may be of interest. All these contributions cannot be mentioned but a few that came to mind were:
Stephanie recommended a new book on John Glover and Patterdale (author Ron Radford) and relayed some interesting information from the book. She highly recommended the book especially at $50 RRP. On the matter of John Glover, potential new member Paul, whose wife is related to the surveyor Evans for who the town is reportedly named, told us of Glover purchasing land from Evans for paintings prior to Glover moving to Van Diemen’s Land.
Stephanie also circulated some photos of old and new Marchington (Breadalbane) and relayed many interesting stories. Included amongst these were stories of local Talbot and Trethewie children dying from ingestion of sloe berries in 1890 and Thomas Gee and Henry Gee being victims of bushrangers and whether the incidents happened on the Kerry Lodge Bridge.
Jenny circulated an undated hand drawn mail run map showing property owners and the location of farmhouses around Evandale.
Bob circulated a photo c1988 of the three Patterson sisters (daughters of Harry Patterson – Blacksmith). The photo taken in the backyard of Patterson’s Cottage (34 Russell Street).
Lyn spoke about some of Neil’s documentation she had come across outlining the life of long-time Evandale resident Catherine Nita Hill. Nita was a WW2 WAAF, one of the first air hostesses, a JP and Evandale Councillor and was involved in many other community organisations.
Lyn also provided some interesting newspaper cuttings concerning the funeral of COL Sidney Hawley in Evandale 1950.
Tony talked about a book by Hawley Stancombe (with illustrations by Eric Ratcliffe) about the Midlands Highway prior to road expansions. It concerns early culverts and bridges that were about to be lost. The book was launched by Clifford Craig in July 1968. At the time of the Book Launch Hawley lived at Glendessary, Western Junction.
Tony also donated a copy of his latest publication on the history of Kings Meadows. Thanks, Tony.
Laurie mentioned he had been contacted by Mr R Jury, a retired civil engineer interested in the Evandale-Launceston water scheme (possibly a book being considered). Laurie spent several hours talking to him about the history of this scheme.
Barry Lawson
President