historical society.
[wptb id=6380]Written by Alyson Cooper
The Nyabing Historical Society Inc. was started up in September of 2009 after I had put in the Nyabing News a request for information of the fallen soldiers on our War Memorial. After a large response, we decided to meet up with everyone and form a new group – the Nyabing Historical Society Inc.
Our original committee members included: Peter Goodchild and Kerry Strickland (nee Goodchild), Jo and Garth Addis, Bronwyn Ferry, Alyson Cooper, Ann Dolan, Norma Hersey, Judy George, Bonnie Boyd, Darren Gray, June Mills and Cathy Crosby, with many of these staying with our committee.
ANZAC Day Service c1960’s
L-R Reginald Howard Smith, Bernard Goodchild, Bulla Stephens, George Hobley (tall head at rear), Keith Quartermaine, Dick Hobley (rear), Vic Batt, unknown, unknown, Laurie Gilbert, Evan Hobley, unknown.
As part of our charter, we were asked by the Shire of Kent to take on the challenges of preparing our town’s National Days of significance which included the Australia Day and ANZAC Day Ceremonies. This gave the very few locals who had been doing it for many years an opportunity to recharge their batteries. For Australia Day, Judy George and Bonnie Boyd had taken this job on personally and they donated all their items to the Nyabing Historical Society Inc. to help run this day.
June Mills, Ashen & Adele Collins
ANZAC Day 2011
Our town’s ANZAC Day service had past helpers including Terry and Matt Hobley, and Jessica Tuffley. Without these people, Anzac Day would have been non-existent after our RSL Branch had closed. Since we have taken on these jobs, the Shire of Kent also asked us to start the Centenary Celebrations, which we undertook. The Shire of Kent is currently in the process of updating the Memorial Park where we host our ANZAC Day service and, although it will be incomplete come April 2012, in 2013 the park will be a great asset to our town.
FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
We have fund-raised since inception and, although we are not very financial, the town has supported every venture including our Nyabing Tea-Towels, Aprons, Book Bags, Magnets, and town cookbooks. Our little fundraisers includes the many “lolly jars” that we have for Easter, Christmas, Mothers Day etc. A big thank you has to go to the Gray family for allowing us to use the bench at the General Store.
Our big fundraising project for 2012/13 is the Centenary booklet which Jo, Ann and I have been collating. This is such a big job, and will be quite a good book once it is finished! [It is an excellent book and copies are still available from the Nyabing Historical Society – Ed.]
PROJECTS FUNDED
From our fundraising, we have aimed and completed several large projects. These include the Victoria Cross Replica Framework for A.E. Gaby (with thanks to Colin Manuel for assistance with this project), Mr Ray Fewson’s 1960’s Reel to Reel Audio Tapes transcribed to CD (with thanks to Greg Fewson) and restoration of our town’s Honour Rolls in the Town Hall. These were restored with assistance from the Shire of Kent and an RSL ‘Saluting Their Service’ grant – they were officially opened at the 2011 ANZAC Day Service.
Show Grounds 1979
Another project which Jo Addis had initiated was to start the movement of the original school from the Nyabing Garage yard, to the main street of Nyabing. The Shire of Kent has assisted us with the movement of it being shifted to its current location. We are currently waiting to hear if we have received a grant for the fitment of our new little “museum” which we hope to have organised and ready for opening on our Centenary Weekend in 2012. It is now called the Settlers Hall.
ANZAC DAY – 2011
Settlers Hall in its original resting place: Nyabing Garage
Settlers Hall on the Move in 2010, coming down Martin Street – RSL Corner
The Nyabing Historical Society hopes to continue its charter of preserving our heritage for future generations.
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