TRIBUTE AUTUMN 2009 FREE PUBLICATION

MEMBERS ATTEND THE OPENING OF ROCHFORD PLACE CLUBHOUSE

L to R: Joan O'Brien, Lyn Forde, Margaret Dwyer, Tom Thorburn, Carol Volkiene, Rosemary Crupi and Norma Thorburn	President Lyn Forde addresses the audience

On the 21st February, we dressed in costume and had a wonderful day for the opening of the clubhouse at the Rochford Place Retirement Village at Ropes Crossing. The staff and friendly people made us feel welcome and we even had a Butler bring around morning tea. We enjoyed the BBQ for lunch and a tour of the retirement village. We were given our own room for the day to set up our display and sell our publications. Photos taken by Judy Coppini & Tom Thorburn

Vale Joan Reese Joan, a member of our Society, passed away in February and will be sadly missed by our members. Joan was an historical researcher of some merit, having transcribed the Colonial Secretary’s papers for many years at the State Archives, and in doing so they named the Reese Index after Joan. Our members Lyn Forde, Carol Volkiene, Pat Dwyer and Norma Thorburn attended Joan’s funeral at Pinegrove. Her daughter Linda and family did Joan proud with a very moving tribute to Joan, along with music played by her late husband Cliff (a very 1940’s feel). A lovely early photo of Joan stood on the coffin and Professor Carol Liston talked about her association with Joan. Photo from daughter Linda footnote: Joan was awarded an OAM for her services to Early Australian History and Geneology in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2009

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PENRITH HISTORY CONFERENCE

The Penrith Library History Conference was held on Saturday 14th March at the Q Theatre and some of our members attended. We had a stall on the day with a display of photos carrying the theme of the conference “Convicts & Culture”. James Hackett and his family, along with Anthony Rope’s family featured strongly as the “Convicts” and Governor King’s family photos was the “Culture”.

HISTORY FAIR

Thanks to our members, Joan O’Brien, Robyn Gorman, Margaret Dwyer and Lyn Forde, who manned our stall at the Nepean Family History Fair on Sunday 15th March, so that members of the public could get information on their St Mary’s family background. We had a lot of interest for our new publication on the early years of South Creek-St Marys and have sold out of the copies already printed. A reprint will be coming up ASAP.

Lyn Forde & Robyn Gorman	Joan O'Brten and Margaret Dwyer

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“OLD FASHION MORNING TEA” for Senior’s Week

Our Society held the “Old Fashion Morning Tea” for local seniors at our headquarters, the “Chambers” building on Wednesday, 18th March, 2009 at 10.30 am. It was well attended with about 70 seniors turning up despite the car park being closed on the Monday which “upset the apple cart” with a lot of the older people using walkers and sticks. It is a tribute to our elders that they did not complain and everyone said they had a wonderful morning. Our members who catered for the morning tea, some dressing up in period costume also enjoyed the morning. Members who participated were Margaret Dwyer, Mary Gruevski, Tom & Norma Thorburn, Margaret & Trevor Hackett, Rosemary Crupi and Lyn Forde.

Members Margaret Hacket & Mary Gruevski Photos taken by Trevor Hackett		Some seniors dressed up for the occasion

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WE EVEN MADE THE LOCAL PAPER

photo courtesy of St Mary's-Mt Druitt Star

NEW BOOK PUBLISHED ON SOUTH CREEK-ST MARYS THE EARLY YEARS

Our President, Research Officer and Tribute Editor, Lyn Forde, has produced this book for the Society to sell. The book contains coloured and black and white photos and starts with the 1789 exploration to the west and the early land grants from 1804. Also contained in the book is the 1840 development of South Creek-St Marys and a chapter on the early settlers of the area from 1763. The last chapter contains some of the early industries of St Marys. This book is one of three books to be produced by the Society, the other two will be published as research is undertaken and funds become available. The book is on sale at the “Chambers” on our open days for $15 or you can order a copy on our website (see below). If the book is to be posted out, then cost of postage needs to be added. Should you wish to discuss this with us, please call the mobile number below.

-oOo-

The St Marys & District Historical Society meets every 4th Saturday at 1.15 pm
at "The Chambers" (Old Council Chambers) 2 - 6 Mamre Road, ST MARYS. (entry from carpark side)
(No meetings in January or December)
Patron of our Society is Sister Mary Louise Petro

ALL WELCOME

This Newsletter is a free publication. Articles in this Newsletter may be republished if permission is given by the Society.

(While care is taken to ensure that all articles are accurate, the opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Society)
Any comments on this Newsletter are encouraged

PLEASE, DON’T THROW OUT AUSTRALIAN HISTORY. OLD PHOTOGRAPHS, BOOKS, LETTERS, RECEIPTS, DOCKETS, NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES.
IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY