clarence river historical society inc · suzanne gibson, judy johnson, bruce wicks office bearers...

Issue 158 ISSN 2208-4428 31st August 2018

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Office Bearers

Jottings from the House

Research Enquiries

From the President

Cover story - Foott Law & Co.

Continuing 150 years in Grafton

Cane Barges on the Clarence

More on Cane Barges

Six degrees of separation

Bill’s Story -- Footy Finals

100 Years Ago

Letter to the Editor - Response

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CONTENTS

The Newsletter of the

CLARENCE RIVER

HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC

Established in Grafton City in 1931

One of the Illawarra Flame Trees in Grafton

S.S. “NEW ENGLAND”

Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese. Luis Bunuel

CRHS Newsletter No 158

Patrons: Mavis Robertson, Bill & Dot Dougherty

Schaeffer House is open from 1.00pm to 4.00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. The Research Room is open from 9.00am to 3.00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only.

Please note that donations to Clarence River Historical Society of $2 or more are tax deductible.

President: Patricia James

Vice Presidents: Ruth Heawood & Leoné Roberts,

Secretary: Ruth Heawood

Treasurer: Anne Ellem

Committee members: Cheryl Barnes, Nita Child, Suzanne Gibson, Judy Johnson, Bruce Wicks

OFFICE BEARERS

Public Officer: Bill Dougherty

Research Officer: Hazel Lawson

Recorder/Librarian: Roz Palmer

Roster Clerk: Suzanne Gibson

Newsletter: David Abrahams

Hon. Solicitor: Joe Fahey

JOTTINGS FROM THE HOUSE

Membership fees are due in January each year. Be sure to pay fees prior to the AGM in March if voting rights are to be retained. New members who join between 1 September and 31 December are deemed to be members up to 31 December of the following year.

Two valuable and interesting items recently donated and added to our collection of interesting historic valuables. In the centre of the photo is a large padlock that was in use at the Grafton Gaol in 1880-90.

The larger item is known as a pocket chain

saw and it folds up to a remarkably small

circle. They were used for swift cutting of

tree branches – it is possible that they are

still in use in some areas.

Pictured above is our lovely garden with a brand new picket fence enhancing Schaeffer House.

The building of the fence was generously

subsidised by our very generous neighbour

Robert Fahey donating well over half of the

construction cost.

Looking through my book shelves, I spotted this 1950 Apex Club

directory of the Social, Sporting, Cultural and Business and activities of

the Area. There is no doubt it is a most comprehensive publication with

such items leading the way as history of discovery and settlement of the

Valley. The Editor was John Moorhead from the Daily Examiner ably

assisted by many Apexians. It is now available for perusal at the House.


RESEARCH ENQUIRIES

(Compiled by our Research Officer, Hazel Lawson)

You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old. George Burns

PERSONAL VISITS.

ALAN; Researching Passenger Boats (Ferries)

on the Clarence.

***********

JULIE. Seeking information on Hugh Livingstone

Born Scotland 1833, Died 15/10/1909 at Codrington

NSW. Married Ellen McPhee.

**********

WENDY; Looking for information on Daniel Bond

Selman and Hannah Selman.

**********

MIRIAM; Looking for shipping records for Bertha

and Samuel Loewenthal.

**********

GLENIS; Information on Henry Raynor Born 1863 at

Ulmarra. Mother Emma Raynor (unwed).

Grandfather Thomas Raynor (Convict).

**********

ROBERT; Researching James McConnell of

Copmanhurst, 12 children born 1861-1880.

**********

HILTON; Researching History of Ulmarra Ferry.

***********

OWEN; Researching History of Rugby Union,

2011,2015,2016,2017.

***********

TANIA; Asked for copies of the front page of the

Daily Examiner from 22nd June 2009 to present.

**********

KIM; Was looking for information on Soap Factory

in Alice Street, Grafton.

**********

GLEN: Information on House 152 Mary Street,

Grafton.

***********

TIM: Asked for photos of Grafton Railway bridge

under construction.

**********

BY EMAIL

LINDA; Asked for information on Frank Foster,

farmer in Grafton and ran a Foundry. Also, a

Wesleyan Minister and preacher in his later years.

**********

DYLAN; Looking for photos and Newspaper

Articles, and Information on Wooli for a Historical

Wall in Resort.

************

JOHN Asked could we give possible presentation

date of Commemoration Bible on the Rein of Queen

Victoria given to Frederick Henry Hayes.

***********

ELIZABETH. Information on Thomas Collins,

convict, came to Australia on the “Parkfield” 1839.

Ticket of Leave 1845, assigned to Clarence River to

work for Dr. Dobie.

***********

SIMON. History or old photos of “Hubbard House”

184 Fitzroy Street Grafton.

***********

RICHARD. The wreck of the Urara in 1866 at the

entrance to the Clarence River, Was there a ships

log? What items were rescued if any?

***********

GRAEME, Researching Jack Hackett, Gladstone

Skiff race held at Ulmarra 19th April 1924 between

Jack Hackett and Jack Casey

************

KEVIN. Looking for photos of dance orchestra

“The Pisani Brothers” in Grafton 1913-1924.

*********

Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter. Satchel Paige


FROM THE PRESIDENT

Every week we meet many visitors who

remark on the great help received in our

Research Room which is manned by Hazel

Lawson, Nita Child and Robyn Schaeffer -

only three people, and not all present at the

same time, so there is a heavy work load for

them. They achieve great results. Most

people who request information by email

are grateful and happy to pay for the time

spent in gathering the information from our

files. Sadly some enquirers fail to pay for

the work done, so it’s precious time wasted.

We do need other members to help in the

Research Room, or we may need to shorten

opening hours for research.

The Museum is always admired by the

many visitors who often say, “This is the

best Museum I’ve seen!” Suzanne Gibson

does a wonderful job, updating signage,

helping with displays and preparing articles

for The Daily Examiner and The

Independent newspapers. Our need is to

have volunteers to welcome visitors each

day we are open. When buses come we

need at least three volunteers here because

the Museum is so extensive. Volunteers are

trained, of course, and they find that, in

meeting other people, some interesting

stories come to light. Out reputation is “The

best regional Museum in NSW in the oldest

regional Historical Society in NSW”. We

help to make Grafton a great place to visit. If

you are a member living in Grafton, can you

help us?

Thank you, David Abrahams, for doing such

a great job with our Newsletters. We are so

pleased that you are recovering from your

accident

Hazel Lawson, our Research Officer, has

been attending information sessions at the

Library, learning more about researching

information from the State Government

Archives. These sessions, lasting an hour

each, have been over three weeks. Thank

you Hazel.

A workshop at the Art Gallery will be

attended by two of our members to learn

more about discovering items of

significance in our Museum.

We are planning a display for Jacaranda

Week Suzanne Gibson and Leoné Roberts

are working on a display of lovely children's

clothes and interesting toys from our

collections. As well, there will be a display

showing the history of Grafton theatres.

Don’t miss these displays if you live nearby

or are visiting.

One of our members, Cheryl Barnes,

organizes the Jacaranda Afternoon Tea at

the Grafton Jockey Club on t Jacaranda

Monday, 29th October. Cheryl does a

wonderful job. The afternoon tea is always

delicious. There are lucky door prizes and a

tombola. All that for only $15. Bookings are

essential.

Our sensory fragrant gardens are growing

more beautiful every day. We are hoping

the Native Bee log will arrive for Jacaranda

time. We thank Bunnings for their gift of

$100 which we have used for a garden seat

to enhance our garden which we will be

entering in the Open Garden Scheme.

A heartfelt thankyou to all our volunteers for

working so hard to make Schaeffer House

such an attractive place and the Research

Room such a hub of activity.

The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. Lucille Ball


Not many Australian country legal firms can boast of 150 years of continuous practice. Foott Law of Grafton claim that outstanding achievement. In this article we attempt to highlight part of their story. And so we begin with the Foott-not the head.

An advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald, 28/11/1867, reads-“In the Supreme Court of New South Wales,- I, George Foott, of Milson’s Point, North Shore, near Sydney, an attorney and solicitor of the Courts of Queen’s Beach, Common Pleas, Exchequer, and Chancery, in Ireland, hereby give notice of my intention to apply on the last day of the ensuing term to be admitted an attorney, solicitor, and proctor of said Court.”

1.So, George Foott was admitted and the very next year came to Grafton, where he bought John Westmore’s practice. Foott’s practice must have flourished, because in a few short years he engaged Mansfield Brothers, Architects of Sydney to design the historic building we know as 56 Victoria Street, and moved in 1876. The firm has continued to carry on their legal practice at this address to this day, marking 142 years of permanency.

George Foott died in December 1902. One, Robert Craigie Law, the first new New South Wales solicitor admitted in the “new century”, was sent to Grafton by Foott’s Sydney agents to dispose of the business. Being favourably impressed Mr. Law decided to purchase the practice

and took on the name of Foott Law, as it is today.

2..Robert Craigie Law was born at Casino, April 26, 1877, where his father was headmaster of the local school. Mr. Law immersed himself in the life of Grafton, married a Grafton girl, Winifred Penrose. Mr. Law was one of a committee who sponsored a ticket of 12 for the elections of the Grafton City Council, 1917, after it had been in the hands of an Administrator for 2 years. All 12 were elected and Mr. Law became Deputy Mayor. He was President of the Grafton Club 1921-22 and foundation president of the Grafton Rotary Club when it was formed in 1932. His sporting interests included tennis, a fine player representing the Clarence against the Richmond in 1912, a capable golfer, he was president of the Grafton golf Club 1937-40, and judge of the Clarence River Jockey Club 1928-34.

However it is as a driving force in the foundation of our Clarence River Historical Society that he is probably best remembered. He carried on the office of secretary from the beginning in 1931 until 1946, when he became

librarian. He was one of our few life members. Mr. Law’s contributions to our Society are numerous, his diaries, his recording of the history of our early days- all of immense value. He was considered as the foremost authority on the history of the Clarence. He could be justly remembered as the grandfather of the Historical society. R.C. Law died in September,1952.

FOOTT-LAW & Co SOLICITORS

REMARKABLE 150 YEARS


Me and my bed are perfect for each other, but my alarm clock keeps trying to break us up

his father’s practice on the latter’s death. He continued in the practice until ill health forced his retirement in 1981. David had also taken an ac-tive part in community affairs, after his student days at Graf-ton High School, where he excelled at athletics. David joined the RAAF in Decem-ber, 1940. After training in Australia he was posted to the Middle East where he flew fighter bombers. He was shot down twice over enemy lines, once over Tobruk where he spent the whole day in hiding until for-tunately picked up by a British scout car the next day. Mentioned in Despatches he became a flight commander. Readers of this newsletter will recall his meeting in the Middle East with Owen Sanders, to Owen’s delight- Issue 156.

David Law had carried on the family tradition of community involvement. He served as president of the Clarence River Law Society, foundation president of Grafton Apex, president of the Grafton Club, life member of the CRJC, long time member of the Clarence River Historical Society. Aged 70, David died May, 1983.

4.. Peter John Roland joined the practice in Au-gust, 1973. With his academic achievements, Peter was able to attend Cambridge University, England to complete a year’s post graduate study. Peter continued the tradition of previous owners of the firm becoming Diocesan Advo-cate for the becoming Diocesan Advocate for the Anglican Diocese of Grafton, serving as president of South Grafton Rotary club, presi-dent of the Clarence River Law Society, presi-dent of the Grafton Club, and honorary solicitor of our Historical Society. Peter played first grade cricket for South Grafton for many years, had a close association with the Grafton City Tennis Club, and was an inaugural member of the “Head of the River Regatta Inc.” Peter re-tired from the practice in 2014.

5.. Neill Bruce Davidson Stewart LL.B (Syd) joined Peter Roland in partnership in 1977. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1959 and prac-tised in Sydney until 1973 when he and his fam-

ily moved to Grafton having acquired a cattle property in the district. Neill took his part in local affairs as a commit-tee man with South Grafton Jockey Club and a trustee of the Grafton Racecourse. Neill was commissioned as a Notary Public by the Arch-bishop of Canterbury in 1982. He retired from the

practice in October ,1999 and passed away just a few years ago.

6.. Joseph Anthony Fahey BA,LLB(Qld) joined Foott Law in July 2000. Joe was born and raised in Grafton, into a family as a fourth gen-eration Graftonian. He attended Queensland University gaining an Arts Degree in 1992 and a Law Degree in 1994, being admitted as a solici-tor in 1996. Joe had practised in Grafton, Port Macquarie and Yamba before joining Foott Law. Joe is a long time member of the Yamba Surf Club, winning many State and National hon-ours, and had won an Australian Championship in 1995 whilst a member of the Surfers Paradise Surf Club. A champion swimmer Joe was one of a small group of lo-cal;men who completed the epic swim of approx 20 kilometres from Rogan’s Bridge to The Grafton Bridge in 2008. Joe served as a member of the St. Joseph’s Cow-per Homes Board of Management and has tutored maths at the South Grafton School of Arts and TAFE. He too, takes his part in local affairs. Joe bought a half share of the practice in 2004 and acquired the balance when Peter Roland retired. Joe, too, acts as Honorary solicitor to our Historical Soci-ety

Joe Fahey continues the tradi-tion of 150 years of faithfully serving the people of the Clar-ence in matters legal. May it so continue.

Don't worry if plan A fails, there are 25 more letters in the alphabet!

Newsletter No 158

CANE BARGES ON THE CLARENCE

A fascinating look at a significant part of our river.

On the edges of the Clarence River on the New

South Wales north coast, there has been the

sweetest of archaeological finds.

NSW Government senior marine archaeologist

Brad Duncan discovered the watery graveyards

of more than 100 boats, which once served the

sugar industry in an era when the Clarence

River was a super highway for sugar transport.

The boats, known as punts, were used to

transport sugar cane from local farms to the

sugar mills from the 1870s to the early 1970s.

The river lies quiet now, except for kayakers

and fishers, and it was a kayaking magazine

that led Dr Duncan to the coordinates of his

significant find around Harwood Island.

"It was very opportunistic and I thought I

might be able to see that on Google Earth …

and so I zoomed in," Dr Duncan said.

"[I saw] this barge plain as day, and then next

to it is this funny scalloped-shaped feature.

"Then I looked further down and there's

another one and another and they went all the

way around the island."

Seeing the curious shapes on Google Earth led

Dr Duncan and a team of dedicated shipwreck

detectives to set out for the mangroves of

Harwood Island, specifically around the area of

the current sugar mill."There was a report done

on the Clarence River a few years ago and they

identified around 30 [sunken punts]," Dr

Duncan said.

The river lies quiet now, except for kayakers


I only have one wish in life... For all my dreams to come true.

and so I zoomed in," Dr Duncan said.

"[I saw] this barge plain as day, and then next to

it is this funny scalloped-shaped feature.

"Then I looked further down and there's another

one and another and they went all the way

around the island."

Seeing the curious shapes on Google Earth led Dr

Duncan and a team of dedicated shipwreck



the current sugar mill.

"There was a report done on the Clarence River a

few years ago and they identified around 30

[sunken punts]," Dr Duncan said.

The river lies quiet now, except for kayakers and

fishers, and it was a kayaking magazine that led

Dr Duncan to the coordinates of his significant

find around Harwood Island.

"It was very opportunistic and I thought I might

be able to see that on Google Earth … and so I

zoomed in," Dr Duncan said.

"[I saw] this barge plain as day, and then next to

it is this funny scalloped-shaped feature.

"Then I looked further down and there's another

one and another and they went all the way

around the island."

Seeing the curious shapes on Google Earth led Dr

Duncan and a team of dedicated shipwreck



the current sugar mill.

"There was a report done on the Clarence River a

few years ago and they identified around 30

[sunken punts]," Dr Duncan said.

However, Dr Duncan and his team had

an inkling there were more than 30

wrecked punts around the island, which

their field work confirmed.

WORKHORSES OF THE SUGAR

INDUSTRY

Punts did the grunt work of transport

for the sugar industry for the best part

of a century.

The vessels were used extensively

throughout the Northern Rivers of

NSW, Queensland and Fiji.

Dr Duncan expected to find the punts

were from the 1970s, but he soon discovered the

vessels, which were still largely intact, were from

a variety of eras dating back as far the 1930s.

The punts were made from different materials

throughout the decades, which helped Dr Duncan

to date the wrecks.

"[It] went from timber barges to iron barges to

steel barges," he said.

"When the railway came in … all of the timber

barges were replaced in 1934.

"So that means these [timber] barges were

scuttled pretty much around that time and

dumped along the edges of the island … making

them historic shipwrecks which are protected

under the Heritage Act 1977 — quite a find for

us."

HOW WERE THE PUNTS PRESERVED

UNDERWATER?

The fact that more than 100 punts were found

surprised sugar industry historian Graham Smith.

"I'm still quite amazed that there could be that

number there," he said.

Mr Smith said tar might have played a big part in

the preservation as all the punts were heavily

tarred as part of their maintenance.

He said the unglamorous but extremely

functional punts had found their place in history,

despite being largely unremarkable in their

heyday.

"History has a habit of not being interesting when

it's happening, but interesting 50 years later," Mr

Smith said.

"If there is a punt heaven, obviously they've

found it, and that's good."


I'd like to live like a poor man - only with lots of money. Pablo Picasso

Park Notice

Six degrees of separation is the theory that any

person on the planet can be connected to any

other person on the planet through a chain of

acquaintances that has no more than five

intermediaries.

On a recent visit to Schaeffer House I was asked

how did Apollo Park get its name? Let's see if we

can get the horse Apollo into Apollo Park.

Well that should be easy.

I went immediately to our card index file and

pulled out a card marked Apollo. This card says:

“Apollo was a horse owned by Benjamin Cohen

and won Race 5, The Members’ Plate - once

around the course, at the Ulmarra Jockey Club

meeting Tuesday 7th April 1885”.

Apollo Park

Yes, I said, that’s interesting. Ben Cohen was

a member of a very influential Ulmarra family.

One of his descendants may have been Dr

Harvey Cohen.

In 1937 in nearby Lawrence ,farmer Charles

Essex married Miss Munday, a teacher at

that school

Elizabeth Anne, their daughter enrolled in

Grafton High in 1952 and after many years of

study and research became one of only four

women to gain a PhD in Physics in Australia in

1967.

Elizabeth was researching Global Positioning

Systems (GPS) at that time. The results of her

work may have made the mission of 1969

to land on the moon, possible!

Elizabeth married Dr. Harvey Cohen In 1974 .

She took his surname and was known as Dr.

Elizabeth Essex--Cohen.

The successful mission to land on the moon in

1969 was named Apollo11. Apollo Park, on the

corner of Turf and Powell Streets in Grafton,

was designed and named to commemorate

this achievement, What’s this got to do with a

horse?

My understanding is

that this parcel of

land was once the

Grafton pound yard.

Maybe Apollo, the

horse resided there

one day in the distant

past.

Apollo, the horse in

Apollo Park Grafton?

Tis a small world.

How easy was that. Launch Pad


———————————————————————————————————————————

Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.

BILL’S COLUMN

. “As we come into the season of football finals, I

thought a story of football in former days might be of interest to our readers. However be warned that towards the end of this article you will wonder who wrote it-“Ripley” or Bill Dougherty.

The year 1946. Football on the Clarence at this time is close to 100% Rugby League. Frank Dreise had returned to Grafton after playing first grade for Balmain in the Sydney competition-only Sydney teams in those days. With his contacts he was able to persuade some of the Sydney first grade teams to come and play in Grafton against local representative teams. He was able to assemble a good quality local side, as several former Sydney first graders had also returned to the Clarence. I speak of Fred Felsch former Captain of South Sydney and the NSW representative side, Bruce McLennan who had played 1

st grade for Western Suburbs, Ron Gill

flying winger from St. George-probably the best ever local winger. The Upper Clarence side, as it was known, then included the cream of the local district players.

Early in the season Balmain had played the locals and won comfortably. Towards the end of the season we were favoured with a visit from Eastern Suburbs who numbered Test players George Watt and Lionel Cooper in their team. In a close match Easts won 25-24 after Grafton had lead 12-6 at half time. Fred Felsch had scored 1 try for Grafton and kicked 6 goals. In a tough match, Referee Joe Gallen, had sent R. Dunn and local G. Felsch from the field for fighting.

1 Week later, 7/9/46, Western Suburbs came to play. I am not sure it was because of the intense match of the previous week, but this time International Referee George Bishop came to blow the whistle. Wests team included famous Test forward, Arthur Clues, who later played many seasons in England, and star full-back Bill Keato. Wests were convincing winners 44-26. Frank Dreise was the best of the local players scoring 2 tries.

The following Saturday was the Grand Final of the Sydney competition Balmain V St. George. This is a quick summary of the game from the Daily Examiner. “with a sensational second half rally Balmain defeated St. George 13-12. In the last 10 minutes Test centre Joe Jorgenson scored 2 tries to give Balmain a 13-9 lead. With the final bell ringing Jack Lindwall scored in the corner for St. George. His brother Ray, champion Australian fast bowler as well as footballer, kicked for goal to win the match-failed. Balmain winners.

Now the Ripley part of the story. That very night, Balmain after winning the Grand Final joined the Brisbane Express to Grafton to play Grafton the very next day. No “mad Monday”-straight on the train to Grafton. One can imagine the excitement in the district.-the Grand Final winners here to play the locals. The

Graton Showground was packed as the teams ran onto the field. Let the Daily Examiner describe the game-“defending like men inspired, Upper Clarence seldom failed to capitalise on the listless attacking movements of the Balmain back line. In the process they shattered the reputations of several of the visiting players. It would not be detracting from the splendid home side display to point out that the Balmain players appeared tired and had included six Reserve Grade players in their team. Ponchard, de Belin, Williams amongst those rested. Half time Balmain down 8-10. However Balmain did have Test players Jorgenson, Bourke, & Harry Bath on the field. I should add-whilst the latter was “on the field”. Referee Joe Gallen gave Bath his marching orders for swinging punches after he had been previously warned. The second half saw the local team assert superiority with Dreise magnificent, several times slicing through the opposition and setting up tries. Full time score Grafton 28-Balmain 8. Yes the locals had defeated the Sydney First Grade Premiers.

“Believe it or not”- by Bill Dougherty.

70+ YEARS ON -FOOTY FINALS

INCOMPARABLE FRANK DRIESE

A Tale of 2 Andrews In a Small World.

My cousin Margaret Michael (nee Lipman) has a son Andrew, Director of the Apparel Group (owners of Sportscraft, Saba and Willow)

His Great Grandfather Abe Lipman built The Villa in Alice Street and although there are no direct descendants still in the valley, his legacy lives on.

Andrew Cowling is a fellow director of the Apparel Group and his Great Grandfather. Edmund Cowling came to Lower Southgate in the early 1900s and the family have expanded throughout the valley.

The Society now has on record a brief history of the very well known Cowling family. David Abrahams

Newsletter No 158

100 YEARS AGO

Compiled by our Research Officer, Hazel Lawson

Extracts from the Daily Examiner of May, 1918

When I first saw Batman, I was expecting to see a baseball movie.

GRAFTON DISTRICT MOTOR CLUB.

It was decided at the meeting of the Club to hold a speed judging competition on Saturday 24th instant, at

3pm for cars and cycles to start and finish at the Clock Tower. The course is: Start from the Clock Tower,

to Apps Lane, on to the junction road and return to the Clock Tower via Dobie street bridge, Queen and

Pound streets. The prizes are cars 10/6 (open order), cycles 10/6 (open order). The annual meeting of the

club is fixed for Wednesday 28 th August at 8pm and take place as a social evening.

Visitors to Walkers Hotel this week were Messrs. Sydney Kidman (Kapunda S A), John Jolly (Melbourne),

C Widdis Jnr. (Main Camp Station, Casino), Gavin S Harrison (Sydney), F J Herlihy (Trawlers Department,

Sydney), and C R Widdis (Melbourne).

According to a Notification by the Minister for Lands in the “Government Gazette” it is considered

expedient, in the public interest, to resume an area of 81 acres of land at South Grafton, dedicated on June

9, 1897, for Public recreation, it is proposed to revoke the dedication of the said land hereto fore made.

Mr E W Nardin, engineer in the Public Works Department, is in town and will go on today to make

preliminary investigations in connection with the Clarence Gorge scheme for hydro-electricity and paper

making.

Mr G Finlay of Grafton has been notified that his Majesty the King has been pleased to confer the Military

Cross on his son, Lieutenant G G Finlay, DCM, 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment. He won the DCM at

Gallipoli and Military Cross in Palestine. He enlisted in 1914, and was at the landing at Gallipoli. A native

of Grafton, born in Villiers Street, Lieutenant Finlay left here when very young and was educated in Perth.

Mrs Paine, Matron of the Benevolent Home, has been advised through the Rev. Curwood, that her son

Robert William Paine, of the 7th Machine Gun Company, was killed in France on August 1st. At the time of

enlisting he belonged to the staff of the Grafton Branch of the ES&A Bank.

Included in the Grafton Procession with the Route March next week will be members of the Red Cross

Society, returned soldiers, and children of the town and district schools.

Mrs J Murphy, of Grafton has been notified that her son, Corporal J H Murphy has been reported wounded.

This is the second occasion, he, having only just returned to the trenches after convalescing in England.

He is one of 3 brothers who have all been on active service, the other 2 having returned to Australia, both

suffering shell shock.

SEVENTH WAR LOAN

Correspondence was read at the South Grafton Council’s meeting intimating that the municipality’s quota

to the seventh war loan was fixed at 10,000 pounds. The Orara and Nymboida shires’ quota were also

fixed at 10,000 pounds each. The Mayor said that judging by the sum subscribed by South Grafton to the

last war loan, it would take a bit of scratching up to get the 10,000 pounds. It was resolved that the

correspondence be handed over to the local War Loan Committee.

Miss Dennersley, who has been the assistant teacher at the Cowper Public School for the past 20 months,

has received word to take charge of the Korora School near Coffs Harbour. Miss Greenberg takes Miss

Dennersley’s place at Cowper.

Produced by the Clarence River Historical Society

190 Fitzroy Street (PO Box 396) GRAFTON NSW 2460 - Phone: 02 6642 5212

Email: [email protected] - Website: www.clarencehistory.org.au

S.S. “BALLINA”

S.S. “KALLATINA”

Hut at Ramornie - Mary Tindal

Newbold - Mary Tindal

Jabirus painted by

Gladys O’Grady

Corellas - painted by

Gladys O’Grady

David, After I retired from teaching I spent

some time at Schaeffer House researching

the history of Men’s hockey in Grafton.

Reading through newspapers for

information, as was the way most research

was done in those days, it was difficult to

avoid getting involved with the work that

others were doing at the same time. Quite

often in looking through a copy of the Daily

Examiner pages I would come across an

article which I knew others would be more

interested in reading. The research that

came to the society was constant and so

varied in topic it was easy to get more

involved in that work than in the history of

hockey.

Needless to say, I never finished the work

and had to rely on another ex-hockey

player to complete the task and have the

story published. To newer members of the

society I suggest if you want to help with

the work asked of the society to be done,

join in the research with the research

team. You would be amazed at the variety

of questions, the scope of subjects

mentioned, their difficulty and the

satisfaction which comes from being able

to very quickly put a finger on the answer

to many of the problems. Over many years

the society has developed immense

catalogues of much of the information and

material they hold.

As an example, in a mischievous way, I

have penned an article in this Newsletter

to show how, in not to take many requests

too seriously, but to enjoy arriving at a

plausible conclusion to a simple request

with tongue in cheek.

Frank Mack

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In response to this challenging epistle from

the Society’s former rightly revered

President, I can only respond by advising

my short but interesting closer involvement

here that one of the outstanding features is

the quality of the research mentioned in

the letter. Our committee meetings receive

reports of the ongoing and interesting

responses to requests across a great

range of topics.

Accordingly I can only agree with Frank’s

suggestion that members who wish to

assist our Society in this interesting and

challenging endeavour should respond by

coming along, join the team and learn

about the vast amount of information

appertaining thereto and the interesting

method of responding to the many queries

coming from everywhere.

Interested ? Call 66425212 to arrange a

meeting to learn more about this.

David Abrahams

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

& RESPONSE

Newsletter No 158

clarence river historical society inc · suzanne gibson, judy johnson, bruce wicks office bearers...

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