The Manning Valley Historical Society has been publishing its own journals since 2002. We currently publish two issues a year, featuring articles on many topics of historic interest that vividly portray the community, cultural and family life of the Manning Valley.
Current journals and back issues may be purchased at Wingham Museum or ordered online. Come in and take a look around or browse through our list of publications below. Please contact us for further information.
The life of Women and Children in the 1830’s to 1850’s.
What were their lives like in the early pioneering days in the Manning Valley? While some met the challenges stoically, for others it was a life of isolation, hardship and desperation.
Women of Independent Means
Meet Catherine Thomson (shop owner), Philadelphia Stace (publican) and Midwives who ran Private Hospitals.
Ella Simon (1902 to 1981: An Indigenous Experience
Ella Simon was an indigenous leader in her community, but what do we really know about her life? Excerpts from her autobiography give a fuller picture of this remarkable woman.
Dorothy Greening
Nurse, Doctor, specialist in women’s health who overcame the odds to become a much loved doctor in the Manning Valley.
The Time Capsule – Part 2
This article completes Maurie’s work on the time capsule which was located in Wingham Memorial Town Hall.
This is a special issue centered around the Wingham Memorial Hall and the opening of its time capsule.
The Wingham Memorial Town Hall
Following the Armistice, Wingham’s desire to establish a soldier memorial and it’s need for a town hall emerged.
The Wingham Municipal Council 1889 – 1980
The Wingham Municipal Council existed for 90 years from 1889 until the amalgamation with the Greater Taree City Council in 1980.
The Time Capsule
Placed in the wall of the Wingham Memorial Town Hall behind the foundation stone, the time capsule was extracted after one hundred years.
The Wingham RSL Sub-branch
The Wingham RSL Sub-branch has been in existence for over a hundred years and continues its functions today.
Entertainment at the Memorial Town Hall
As well as its function as a Memorial Hall and a Civic Hall, the new hall became the entertainment centre of Wingham.
A Wingham Timeline
Events, both big and small, are chosen from Wingham’s past.
Wingham Long Ago
We look at Wingham in 1866 and in 1926.
Cost: $10.00 32 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
David Unaipon: The Man on the Fifty Dollar Note.
Trains to the Manning: Part 2.
Aborigines on the Railway.
The Hargan Swing Saw.
Opening Ceremony, Taree Station, 4th February 1913 (photograph).
Memories of the Railway.
MidCoast Stories: The history you didn’t know existed.
Mount George Railway Station: 1960’s.
Cost: $10.00 32 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
Clement Hodgkinson: Early Surveyor of the Manning.
John Valentine Gorman: Surveyor of Wingham.
Shipwrecks on the Manning Bar: Part 2, 1873 to 1917.
Team Boiler Pump & Wingham Butter Factory.
Trains to the Manning: Part 1
Books: Terry O’Rourke’s War by Margaret Clark & Enlisting for Gallipoli by Maurice Garland.
Cost: $10.00 32 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
Gertrude Richardson – First Female Mayor of Taree.
Australian Agricultural Company – Convict Buttons.
Thomas & Mary Wootton – Convicts.
William Wootton.
Tale of two Pubs – Steam Packet & the Exchange
Masters of the Turf – Wootton Family
Shipwrecks on the Manning Bar, Part 1 1830 – 1875.
Taree Rifle Reserve Corps
Cost: $10.00 32 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
Aborigines and the Law
This article looks at how local magistrates dealt with Aborigines who came before the Courts of Petty Sessions in the Manning Valley. It references the local Bench Books (1863 to 1883) and contemporary newspapers of the time.
Rendezvous With Death
Professor Ramsland gives an insight into how he researched and wrote his latest book, Rendezvous With Death: ANZAC Stories of the Great War. Of particular interest is the life story of Dr Neville Howse, an early Taree doctor, who won the Victoria Cross during the Boer War and served as a medical officer in the Great War.
A Gold Mining Family
In an article written in 1997, Stan recalled his family’s experiences prospecting for gold in the Mummel River (Upper Manning) area during the Great Depression of the 1930s. His description of the mining processes used is very detailed.
A Glance at the Old “Times”
In an article written in 1949, Richard recalled his apprenticeship at the Manning River Times from 1885 to 1890, the work practices and machinery used. He also gave a glimpse of life in Taree at the time.
Wing-Commander Milton Moore
Milton, a local lad, joined the R.A.A.F. in 1940 and served with the 454 Squadron in the Mediterranean and Aegean areas. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his dedication to duty. Milton’s gas mask can be seen in our War Cabinet display.
Interesting Overland Trip
In an article written in 1915, Thomas recalled an epic journey he made with his three young sons over the Great Dividing Range, from Moree to Wingham. They made this journey with horses and a wagon, during a severe drought period.
A Tragic Drowning
Two years after this epic journey, the Connolly family suffered the tragic loss of their two daughters (Ellen May and Alice May) in a drowning accident at Jackson’s Falls, two kms. above Wingham.
The James Cross Memorial Plaque
World War One memorial plaques were commemorative medallions presented to the next-of-kin of service men and women of the British Empire killed in the war. The memorial plaque presented to Mrs Hannah Cross after her son, James, was killed in the battle of Messines, is in the museum’s collection.
In the Museum
Updates what is happening in Wingham Museum including the addition of ‘The New Perfection Wick Blue Flame Oil Cook-Stove’, a stove that could run on kerosene.
Cost: $10.00 32 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
The Many Roles of the Court of Petty Sessions: Part 2
In part 1, the licensing of auctioneers, bankers and slaughterers was examined as well as local infrastructure responsibilities such as roads and punts. In this issue we look at how the Court of Petty Sessions dealt with hotel licensing, the Masters and Servants Act, the limited protection of women and children, lunacy and vagrancy.
Pietro Antonio Muscio: Swiss Immigrant 1855
Aged 16, Pietro arrived in Sydney in 1855 – coming from an Italian-speaking part of Switzerland – and went to work for Isaac Rose on the Williams River before moving to the Manning Valley with Isaac. He eventually Anglicized his name to Peter Anthony Muscio. Late in life, he wrote an autobiography for his family and here we present extracts from it.
The Quinlivans of Cundletown
For over 100 years the Quinlivan family lived in Cundletown and were honored as one of the Manning Valley’s greatest sporting families. The first Quinlivan was washed ashore near Harrington, lucky to be alive, when the 543 ton steamer Juno was wrecked. He was aged eleven and Cundletown became his home. The Quinlivan’s played many sports but they excelled at Rugby Union and Rugby League, playing in representative teams for the Manning, the North Coast and New South Wales. Five brothers played for the South Sydney Rugby League team.
The Science of Phrenology
In the 19th century and into the 20th century, phrenology was called a science but not by scientists – it was pure bunkum. The basic concept was that the skull housed the brain and therefore its shape determined personality. Men toured toured centres talking of the “science” and putting on shows for “education” and amusement. Here we present some phrenological visitors in the Manning Valley.
The Drogher PS Manning
The droghers were many on the Manning River, servicing the settlers on their water highways. The rusted remains of the paddle-wheel steamer Manning can be seen on the Taree riverbank – but for how long? This is the story of the Manning from its commencement in 1878 until its retirement in 1936.
In the Museum
Even though we have all experience a difficult year and a half I am very pleased to inform you that our museum is going from ‘strength to strength’. Many varied projects have been quietly achieved, some small and some big like the one detailed below.
Cost: $10.00 36 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
Red Gold
The first and most important exports from the Manning Valley were the valuable cedar trees – known as “Red Gold” – attracting transient cedar getters to cut them down and float them down rivers and creeks for shipping to navigable waters to be taken to Sydney. Most were in excess of 100 years old. Today the cedar industry has been wiped out.
The Birth of Shipbuilding on the Manning River
It was soon recognised that the timbers, so suitable for shipbuilding and so readily at hand in the Manning, inspired a shipbuilding industry that still continues today with the Steber firm. The first permanent settler, William Wynter, had the first ship build for him by John Gillies and named it the ‘Tattee’. The most productive shipbuilder though was Alexander Neuton who build over 40 ships.
Master Mariner: Captain Jean Benaud
Arriving in Sydney in 1840 on a whaling ship, the French-born Jean Benaud soon became a sailing captain of note in Australian waters. His main voyages in both sail and paddle-wheel steamer were along the north coast of NSW and into its rivers. Following his marriage in 1858, he settled in Taree, but continued his trade as a shipping captain. Jean Bernaud was the great-grandfather of former Australian cricket captain and TV commentator, Richie Benaud.
Reminiscences
The following articles, slightly abridged, appeared in newspapers in the 1930s recalling the “old days” in the Manning Valley during the 19th century.
Islands in the Stream
The Manning River delta contains many islands. The larger ones were promptly settled and farmed. Quite a number of islands closer to the riverbank were attached to that riverbank. Some islands were established as reservations but were then occupied at various times. There were other small islands for which the settlers could find no use. Due to floodwaters, island specks sometimes appeared only to disappear at a later date.
The Many Roles of the Court of Petty Sessions: Part 1
In the 19th century, the Court of Petty Sessions was conducted by local men, acting in an honorary capacity, and, generally, without any legal training. Mid-century there were no lawyers present in the Valley, and no local newspapers to vet the proceedings of this Court until 1865. In Part 1, the licensing of auctioneers, hawkers and slaughterers is examined as well as local infrastructure responsibilities such as roads and punts. Part 2 will appear in the next journal.
Cost: $10.00 36pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
Patrick Sloane: A Convict Assigned to William Wynter
Patrick Sloane, transported to Australia in 1802, spent most of his life in Australia in convict labour in Newscastle, Port Macquarie and, finally, the Manning Valley assigned to the Valley’s first permanent settler, William Wynter. And this is where he died, at the grant old age of 101, a free man.
The Original Manning River District Hospital
The 1880s decade was the “coming of age” decade for Taree – the Municipal Council has been established, a magnificent courthouse had opened and the town had become the capital town in the Manning Valley. A top-class hospital to serve the needs of the entire Valley was urgently needed.
The Founding of Taree
Taree was established as a private township in 1854 by the owner of the Taree property, Henry Flett. In financial difficulties before the land sale, Flett went on to become the Valley’s richest man and leading citizen. The site chosen was excellent, with large ships able to tie up at its wharves and the center of town, Victoria Street, above the flood level (except for Mill Creek). By the 1880s, Taree had expanded to become the leading town of the Manning Valley.
Graphic: Taree Circa 1950
This is a fantastic two-page serial photo of Taree taken about 1950.
Fault Driven Divorce
Since 1975, Australian’s have been able to divorce “by natural consent”. Before this, for marriages in difficulty, one partner could only obtain a divorce by finding fault with their spouse – the fault usually being adultery or desertion. Scandal sheets thrived on these cases.
German Immigration to the Manning Valley: Part 2
This article focuses on the German immigration to the Manning Valley, the largest non-British non-English speaking group to settle in this area. In Part 1, we looked at the following families: Ahronson, Calov, Cluss, Geiss, Ochs, Paff, Ruprecht, Schlenert, Schmitzer, Schnider, Schubert, Weismantel, Wolff, Zeininger. In Part 2, in this issue, we look at Hau7g, Kitz, Lilier, Unger, Weber and the growth of all German families in the Valley. This is by no means a complete list of German immigrants in the Manning Valley, but their selection was determined by the available source material.
Wingham Gymnasium Club 1925
The Wingham Gymnasium Club was formed in 1925 at a time when gymnasiums were rare in country districts. It put on displays, where it was the sole attraction, as well as featuring among musical items in a number of functions. It was led by Wingham doctor, Gordon Forsyth, and seems to have withered after his departure from the district. The most attractive items of display were the human pyramids and tableaux.
Cost: $10.00 36 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
German Immigration in the Manning Valley: Part 1
This article focuses on the German immigration to the Manning Valley, the largest non-British non-English speaking group to settle in this area. In Part 1 we look at the following families: Ahronson, Calov,Cluss, Geiss, Ochs, Paff, Ruprecht, Schlenert, Schubert, Weismantel, Wolff, Zeininger. In Part 2 we will look at Haug, Kitz, Lilier, Unger, Weber, and the growth of all German families in the Valley. This is by no means a complete list of German immigrants to the Manning Valley, but their selection was determined by the available source material.
Assistant Station Master at Mount George, 1961
Earlier this year Lindsay Gardiner’s book ‘Mount George Rail Station in the 1960s’ was launched at the museum. It contains his reminiscence of his days at Mount George as a young Assistant Station Master. Here we present a few extracts from his delightful book.
John Alden: Shakespearean Actor and Producer
Born at Coopernook in 1908, Gordon Buchanan adopted the stage name of John Alden, and became Australia’s leading Shakespearean actor and producer. He appeared in many stage plays, was heard in numerous radio plays, as well as acting in the odd film. But his first love was Shakespeare. He formed a Shakespearean company and toured throughout Australia.
The First Schools in the Manning Valley Part 2: 1857 – 1864
In 1848, the Board of National Education was established in the colony of New South Wales to open secular national schools (now called public schools). Although support for the church-established schools continued, the new national schools flourishing under the National School Board. In Part 1, we looked at the schools established in the Manning Valley in 1850 – 1856, and here we look at the next 10 schools, 1857 – 1864.
School Reports 1868
Part of the School Inspector’s job required him to visit each school in his area at least once a year in order to conduct examinations of both pupils and teachers. He was then required to write reports of these, which were then often printed in newspapers. They could be a brutally frank assessment of the teaching.
‘Rithmatic
In the “Good Old Days”, when there were no electronic calculators, you needed to know your multiplication tables to solve arithmetical problems. Here is a problem solved by Henry Weismantel, aged 14, in 1906. The school was known as Weismantel (near Monkerai) and operated from 1898 to 1907.
Alexander Lobban Jnr: Colonial Teacher and Inspector
Gordon Dennes (1892 – 1976), born and raised in the Manning Valley, spent over forty years researching Manning Valley history. His special interest was the Scots who settle the Northern Rivers of NSW. The vast majority of his records were handwritten. – the writing of which can be difficult to read – and written on scrap paper, the back of forms, old letters, just about anything. His main source was newspapers, but some of the sources (e.g. Dungog Bench Book) are no longer available. He wrote numerous newspaper articles based on his meticulous research, but without citations, such as this (abridged)article on Alexander “Alex” Lobban Jnr, with whom he had a personal acquaintance. Much of this article was based on articles written by Lobban himself under a pen name of “Rustic” in 1910 – 1913.
Cost: $10.00 36 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
Pioneering Doctors of the Manning Valley: 1850 – 1870
Throughout the first 40 years of settlement in the Manning Valley, medical assistance was difficult to obtain. A number of doctors came and went, unable to secure a reasonable living. From patients living so fare away from the very small townships and so many unable to pay for their services. There was much reliance on unqualified, but often excellent, medical help.
Dr Fredrick Calov: A Country Practice 1864 – 1870
German-born Dr Fredrick Calov settled in the Manning Valley with his family, firstly in Taree and then in Cundletown. He was appointed Government Medical Officer and Coroner before his premature death in 1870. Here we look at many of the medical cases he death with in his practice.
Dr Neville Howse on the Manning
Dr Neville Howse spent five years doctoring on the Manning from 1890. English born and highly trained, he served as a medical officer in South Africa, where he was awarded the Victoria Cross, and later at Gallipoli. Here we present his time on the Manning in three sections. Firstly the recollections of Herbert Gordon, who knew him. Secondly, newspaper reports of his doctoring and the high regard in which he was held. Thirdly, a poem written about him by John Ramsland.
Sketches of Taree in 1886
We present an outstanding drawing of Taree in 1886 just 32 years after its establishment as well as one of Taree Wharf.
The First Schools in the Manning Valley, Part 1: 1850 – 1856
In 1848, the Board of National Education was established in the colony of New South Wales to open secular national schools (now called public schools). Support for the church-established schools was continued under the Denominational School Board and the new National School Board supported the establishment of the public schools. Private schools also existed, but these had no support or oversight by the Government. School attendance was not compulsory.
Raymond Saxby Recalls His Days at Taree Public School 1937 – 1943
The late Raymond “Ray” Leslie Saxby started kindergarten at Taree Public Sch0ool in 1937. In 1989, as Taree Public School celebrated its 125th anniversary, Ray provided his recollections of his enjoyable days of learning at the school. His original copy is now in our Archives.
Cost: $10.00 36 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
The Armistice 1918
When news of the Armistice came through on the night of November 11, the people of the Manning (and all over Australia) poured out of their houses to celebrate the end of the “war to end all wars”. After the initial euphoria had passed, people went to their churches to sing “Te Deum”, the ancient hymn of thankfulness, and to commemorate the loss of so many fine young men from their community.
At the Front After the Armistice: Steward Shepard
Twenty year old Stewart Shepard arrived on the Western Front in France just before the Armistice was signed. Following its signing, he remained with Australian troops, as they continued their eastern advance and the German troops withdrew from Belgium. Stewart returned to Australia and spent 30-years as shire clerk on the Manning Shire Council.
The Killabakh Memorial to John Wollard
Following the 1918 Armistice, the first memorial monument established in the Manning Valley was in the small village of Killabakh in the Upper Manning Valley in 1921. It was unique to the Valley in that it was a monument to a single soldier – John “Jack” Wollard – such was the respect held for him, not only in Killabakh but throughout the Valley.
Taree Soldiers Memorial Clock
Following the Armistice, Taree was no different to many other country communities in their desire to establish a memorial to the many young men who had given their lives in foreign fields. The real problem was the form the memorial should take, how much it should cost and who should pay for it.
The Wingham Soldiers Memorial Hall
During the war, Wingham volunteers built a cottage for war widow, Cordelia Thiele. Following the Armistice, Wingham’s desire to establish a soldiers memorial and the need for a town hall merged. The main problem became financing the style of memorial the town desired, and who should pay for it?
John Allan of Comboyne: “It Is My Duty”
Jack Allan was among one of the first settlers in the Comboyne district. He enlisted in 1915 at an age when he could have been excused from such a duty. He suffered wounds on two occasions which entitled him to a home passage, but he returned to the Western Front instead. He was fatally wounded a month before the Armistice.
The Spanish Flu 1918-1920
As World War 1 was drawing to a close, a virulent strain of influenza, which became known as the Spanish Flu, broke out – its origin is debated – and spread world wide, variously estimated as killing 50 million people. Highly contagious, the disease eventually reached the Manning Valley.
Cost: $10.00 36 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
The Diary of Thomas Trotter
Thomas Trotter (1794-1878) kept a diary in which he recorded his day to day events giving us great insights into the lives of these early settlers during the 1860’s. The family farming centred around orange growing on their Glenthorne property, on the south bank of the Manning River opposite Taree. Of course, They were highly dependant on shipping to get their produce to the Sydney Markets.
By Maurie Garland
John Oxley’s Journey Through the Manning Valley 1818
2018 marks the 200th anniversary of John Oxley’s explorative journey along the coast through the Manning Valley. While Oxley’s accomplishments were much admired, they were also marked the beginning of a European invasion which was about to completely dispossess Aborigines of lands they had occupied for thousands of years.
Katherine M Bell
In the Museum
In the mid-March the Society hosted members of Quota International Taree at the launch of a new exhibit featuring a limited edition of the book ‘Joan Sutherland – Designs for a Diva’
By Terry Tournoff
The Wingham Municipal Council’s Housing Scheme
Local councils have not traditionally played a part in helping Australian Families achieve the goal of home ownership. However, the year 1954 saw the arrival of Wingham Municipal Council’s new Town Clerk and heralded the start of the Council’s housing finance scheme, without a doubt Council’s most remembered, and certainly most innovative achievement in its 91- year history.
By Bill Beach
The Mystery of the First Taree Methodist Church
In 1892, Taree resident, Thomas Dugale wrote a history of the Methodist Church in the Manning Valley. Despite his arrival in 1858, he seemed quite unaware of Taree’s first Methodist Church. Even at Glenthorne, there is a marker of its Methodist Church (now demolished) with the wrong date of that church’s opening.
By Maurie Garland
Dangerous Waters – A Manning Shipping Disaster
In the 19th century, shipping was the lifeblood of the Manning Valley. The sea journey from the Manning to Sydney or return, could be quite costly commercially if the ship floundered or sank. In some cases there was a tragic loss of live. The voyage was quite costly materially for the family of Rev John Pemell in 1860. And the Sinking of the Bonnie Dundee in 1879, with its consequent loss of life was quite tragic for the family of Thomas Dugdale.
By Maurie Garland
The Manning River Steam Navigation Company
Since the 1850’s there had been calls for the establishment of Steam Ship company that would service the Manning exclusively and consequently provide regular – and reasonably priced – shipping of the Manning Valley’s produce to Sydney markets. It was not until 1874 that such a company was formed.
By Maurie Garland
When the Piano was the Centre of Home Entertainment
From the 19th Century and throughout the first half of the 20th Century, the piano was the centre of home entertainment, as well as concerts and dancers in local halls. Many children took piano lessons (some under duress) but when it came to a celebration or just a relaxing evening, singing around the piano was very popular. And you especially needed a piano tuner so the evening did not go flat.
By Kaye Wallice
Cost: $10.00 36 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
Urbanization of Manning Valley:
Part 1- Taree 1854- 1891
With the Manning River as the main highway of the Manning Valley in the 19th century, villages grew along its riverbanks. By the 1880’s, the town of Taree, privately established by Henry Flett in 1854, was recognised as the Valley’s leading town. This article examines how the township grew, and gives glimpses of how its residents lived.
by Katherine M Bell
Urbanization of Manning Valley:
Part 2- The incorporation of Taree and Wingham
Following the recent forced amalgamation of the Greater Taree Council with the Great Lakes Council and the Gloucester Shire to form the MidCoast Council, it is a relevant time to look back at the beginning of municipal councils in the Manning Valley – Taree and Wingham
By Maurie Garland
Taree and Wingham at the Time the Councils were Established
Both the Australian Town and Country Journal and the Sydney Mail, weekly newspapers published in Sydney, sent reporters to the Manning River District following the incorporation of the two towns. Here we present their published reports, slightly abridged.
Taree 1899: The First Schools’ District Athletics Carnival
In 1899, for the first time, many of the schools in the Manning Valley travelled to Taree to compete in inter school sports. Some the small one-teacher schools did not attend, particularly in the Upper Manning Valley, where transporting the pupils to Taree was a major operation.
The Great White Train of 1926:
The Great White Train, consisting of 16 carriages of Australian mad products, visited the Manning Valley in September 1926 and was welcomed and inspected by large crowds.
By Maurie Garland
Thomas Florance, Surveying the Manning 1827- Part 2
In Part 1, we left the enigmatic Thomas Florance, the first surveyor to map the full length of the Manning River, Descending the Gloucester Tops towards the Barnard River and then to the Manning River. This expedition was without doubt the high point of Florance’s surveying career and it was all down hill from there.
By Bill Beach
Cost: $10.00 36 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
The Enigmatic Thomas Florence Part 1
The survey of the Manning River undertaken by Thomas Florence in 1827 has very much been undervalued – it was also an exploration.
by Bill Beach
Aboriginal Horseman of the Manning Valley
As white settlement expanded, the Biripi were pushed off their lands and into much suffering. There was one field where they would outclass all – horsemanship.
by Maurie Garland
Castor, a Black Slave Transported from Mauritius
Castor, once a black slave, was convicted and transported to Australia where he eventually became an assigned convict for William Wynter on the Tareeestate.
by Katherine M Bell
My Grandparents: Sam and Jane Moy
The late Tom Woollard brought this memoir of his grandparents to our society in 1992. It became a forerunner to his book Changes of a Lifetime
by Tom Woollard
Pictorial: The Catholic Church in Taree
The original church opened in 1873, and the new church opened in 1930; the erection of the convent and the school; the McDonell family.
by Maurie Garland
A Geologist Visits the Manning in 1933
This article by R O Chalmers is taken from the Australian Museum Magazine, 1934.
by R.O. Chalmers
Tying the Knot Manning Style
We look at Margaret Clark’s new book.
by Margaret Clark
In the Museum
Terry looks at the extensive collection of amber glass.
by Terry Tournoff
Lost and Found
A medallion lost in the mid 1920’s was found eighty years later.
by Barbara Waters
Vale Mal Rattray and John Doust The Manning River District in 1851
This article was written anonymously in 1870 for the Manning River News
Cost: $10.00 36 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
Edward Rye at the Wingham Chronicle
Edward Rye established Wingham’s first newspaper. In 1917, he wrote a series of articles for the Gloucester Advocate, much of which pertained to the Manning Valley.
by Maurie Garland
Long Before Turf Wickets
Les Eastaway has graciously allowed the MVHS to print the first chapter from his wonderful book on the history of cricket in the Manning Valley.
by Les Eastaway
Rugby Football Medals
The initial Rugby Union Football competition ran from 1893 to 1920. We examine a premiership medal won by Jack Maher in 1920, and by James Horsburgh in 1907-08.
by Maurie Garland
Dingo Street, Wingham: An Historic Mistake
Why was the name of “Dingo Street” – amongst the oldest streets in the Manning Valley, so named in 1843 – changed to “Queen Street”?
by Maurie Garland
Pictorial: Historic Photographs from a Perth Chimney
While dismantling a chimney in Perth, Bruce Dobbin found photos of the Manning Lime Company at Chatham – all in excellent condition. Enjoy.
by Maurie Garland
In the Museum
Terry shows the mural created by students from Taree Christian College.
by Terry Tournoff
Cooplacurripa
Part 1: Early Days – Looking at the history of one of Australia’s greatest stations.
by Maurie Garland
Cooplacurripa
Part 2: A Superb Horseman – Tod Scrivener, a great horseman, a great man.
by Maurie Garland
Cooplacurripa
Part 3: The School, 1964 – Dave Benson’s memoir of his year on Coopla.
by David Benson
A Short History of War Graves
The why and how we care for our fallen soldiers.
by Allen Valentine
Vale Mack Gibson
We farewell our inaugural President and tireless worker for our Society.
Cost: $10.00 36 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
Celebrating Our Scottish Pioneers
Stories of pioneering Scots in the Manning Valley
Edited by Maurie Garland
The Scots and the Manning River 1840 – 1860
Ross used the major research of Gordon Dennes to write about the Scottish settlement
of the Manning Valley in obtaining his Master of Arts Degree. Here we present several excerpts from his excellent booklet.
by Ross Galloway
Bounty Ships from the Highlands and Isles
The Bounty Scheme of assisted migration operated from 1837 to 1842. In particular, two of these ships, the Midlothian and British King, brought migrants from the Isles who
eventually settled in the Manning Valley. by Maurie Garland
Scot’s Corner
From his Scot’s corner on Dingo Creek, Eric gives some insights into Scottish culture and
the Scottish immigrants to the Manning Valley.
by Eric Richardson
Pictorial: The Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival
This festival is now in its thirteenth year, and is run by a hard-working committee.
by Maurie Garland
The First Church Services in the Manning Valley
Although the Manning Valley was settled in 1829, a church service wasn’t conducted by an ordained minister until 1845. The first minister of religion to live permanently in the Valley was Reverand James Carter in 1851.
by Maurie Garland
Gaelic Settlers
There were only a few Gaelic enclaves in Australia and the Manning Valley was one of them, especially at The Bight. Some could not speak English, and for others English was a second language. They wanted their church services to be in Gaelic.
by Maurie Garland
In the Museum
Terry gives his museum report and displays several of the Gaelic Bibles which have been donated to the museum.
by Terry Tournoff
Scottish Influence
Cameo portraits of some of the Manning Valley’s Scottish pioneers
by Maurie Garland
Cost: $10.00 36 pages A4: 21cm x 29cm
Pioneering Women
Stories of remarkable pioneering women in the Manning Valley
Edited by Maurie Garland
Elizabeth Wynter: First Lady
Elizabeth was one of only a few women in the Manning Valley during the 1830’s.
by Katherine Bell, MVHS Archives
Mary Ann Bugg and the Bushranger
The story of an aboriginal woman and her relationship with Captain Thunderbolt
by Maurie Garland
Sarah, Annie, Margaret and Alice: Midwives, Private Hospitals
Manning Valley midwives and private hospitals
by Katherine Bell
Gertrude Richardson: Taree Mayor
Gertrude was the first female mayor outside the Sydney metropolitan area
by Kaye Wallace
Changes of a Lifetime
In 1995 the late Tom Woollard published a book of memories of his lifetime
by Tom Woollard
Tommy Carr on the word “Obey”
A satirical story written by Henry “Hawkeye” Edwards in 1928
by Hawkeye
Bridget Murray:A Kerry Girl
review of Kay Moloney Caball’s book ‘The Kerry Girls’
by Katherine Bell
Pioneering Women
Cameo portraits of Manning Valley women who were pioneers in their field by Barbara Waters
Nancy Bird: My God it’s a Woman
The late Nancy Bird Walton wrote this article for our society in 2004
by Nancy Bird Walton
Cost: $10.00 36 pages A4:21cm x 29cm
The Crowdy-Harrington Railway; Part 2: 1900 to 1927
The history of the railway used in construction of the breakwater at Harrington.
by Ian McNeil
Criticism of the Harrington Breakwall
The northern breakwall cost a huge amount of money, and was heavily criticised.
by Maurie Garland
A Trip to the Manning
A nurse’s voyage to the Manning in 1909.
by “M R”
Memories of Crowdy and Harrington
Jean Ebzery (nee Muir) recalls her childhood in the 1920s and 1930
by Jean Ebzery
From the Museum
A report from our museum curator.
by Terry Tournoff
Pictorial: The Dangerous Harrington Breakwall
Ships wrecked on the Harrington Breakwall 1909 – 1910.
by Maurie Garland
Sergeant Hogan: Policing the Manning
Sgt Hogan spent two terms in the Manning Valley, the first as a constable at Cundletown, the second at Taree as Sergeant in Charge of the Manning District.
by Maurie Garland
The Don on the Manning
Don Bradman played cricket against Manning teams in 1928 and 1929.
by Bill Beach
From the Archives
A report from our archives co-ordinator.
by Kaye Wallace
MRDH Hospital Admissions 1895
Some records from the 1895 admissions book transcribed by Katherine.
by Katherine Bell
MRDH Hospital Admissions 1911
Looking at a statistical analysis of the 1911 admissions made by Eugenie.
by Eugenie R Lumbers
The First Pilots at the Manning River Entrance
The first pilot to assist shipping over the bar was appointed in 1856.
by Maurie Garland
Cost: $10.00 36 pages A4:21cm x 29cm
The Crowdy-Harrington Railway; Part 1: 1895 to 1900
The history of the railway used in construction of the breakwater at Harrington.
by Ian McNeil
The Reminiscences of Captain Robert Collins
In 1923, the Wingham Chronicle printed a series of articles written by Captain Collins (1850-1927) telling of his life at sea and his settling in the Manning Valley.
by Robert Collins
An Unspeakable Crime
The finding of a teenage girl’s skeleton in remote bush south of Newcastle produced a murder trail that led back to the Manning Valley.
by Maurie Garland
In the Museum
A report from our museum curator
by Terry Tournoff
Isabella the Play: A Pictorial
We look in on the play’s sell-out performance at Tuncurry.
Secondary Public Education at Taree Public High School
Before the establishment of Taree High School in 1925, Taree Public School adopted a number of different names as it also catered for secondary students.
by Katherine Bell
Ken McDonald: Iconic Journalist
Ken arrived in Taree in 1947 as a teacher, but soon joined the staff of the Manning River Times as a news and sports journalist and, later, became the editor.
by Mick McDonald
Rugby Union/League: The Quinlivan Brothers
Tennis: Coral Buttsworth
Racing: Mick Yarrad
Sports stories from the Manning River Times written in 1970 by Ken McDonald.
by “Ken Mac”
Treasure Trove: Sports Reports
Our chief Archivist uses the internet “Treasure Trove” site .
by Kaye Wallace
Cost: $10.00 32 pages A4:21cm x 29cm
