June  2007                                                                                          by Dawn Juers

No 35

Well I’m back!! I must say a big thankyou to Frodo for so ably compiling No 34 in my absence. I’m sure he brightened your day.

Bruce and I were away in our campervan, firstly, to Yorke Peninsula where we absorbed a lot of the Kernewek Lowender festivities. It was the first time we have attended the Copper Coast Cornish festival. The organisers did a magnificent job and it is a credit to them.

One celebration that I missed was the ‘Dressing of the Graves.’ Thirtytwo graves of pioneers were dressed at Kadina, Moonta and Wallaroo cemeteries. Apparently a tableau comprising a minister, mourners and coffin precedes the ceremony. A horse and trap are used to transport flowers and citations made by the local school children amongst the graves.

At the pioneer’s grave a floral tribute is laid,  the citation read and placed on the grave for the duration of the Kernewek Lowender.

 At Moonta Cemetery the children from Moonta Area School’s Special Class sprinkled rose petals on the graves of the little children of which there are so many. I purchased the book ‘Dressing of the Graves’ by Roslyn M Paterson OAM - a collection of citations of the district pioneers buried in the Kadina, Moonta & Wallaroo Cemeteries 2001-2007.

We enjoyed everything we were able to attend, and I feel I shouldn’t be selective but we did enjoy the furry dance and the maypole dance performed by the schoolchildren of the area. The next Kernewek Lowender is in 2009, so if you haven’t been before perhaps you can plan for the next one. While you’re in the area do visit the Farm Shed in Kadina. (Their local Information/Heritage Centre). Gosh, and I’m not even paid to promote the district!

From Yorke Peninsula we meandered our way to Wentworth NSW – the town on 2 rivers. A town not unlike Goolwa with its river history. There was great excitement throughout the town whilst we were there, as they were making preparations for the ‘Wentworth Junction Rally’ on 7^th & 8^th July to celebrate the 100^th birthday of the paddlesteamer ‘Ruby’. Apparently they had their first ‘steamup’ of the engines a few days before we arrived in the town. The restoration of the Ruby has been a long-term project by a willing band of volunteers.

Wentworth also has a comprehensive collection of paddleboat photographs in the Museum (opposite the Wentworth Gaol). The collection is arranged alphabetically which makes it easy if you’re searching for a particular boat.

 They have a wonderful research facility at the Wentworth Historical Society in the local library. The staff were very helpful and we intend to keep in touch through our respective newsletters. [Thanks to Leanne Watmuff]

Whilst in the Museum I noticed an article on Capt John EGGE who spent his earlier years in Goolwa.

John EGGE, born c1830 Shanghai, came to Australia as crew for Capt Francis CADELL. He was the cook on PS Mary Ann in 1853. In 1857 he married Mary PERRING at St Judes Church, Pt Elliot. He had courted Mary, who lived on Hindmarsh Island by swimming across to the island with his clothes tied on his head. Around 1859 they settled in Wentworth and had eleven children. John owned various businesses and was well respected by the townspeople. John gained his Master’s Certificate and owned the Murrumbidgee, Prince Alfred, Treviot & Endeavor. John and Mary are buried in the Wentworth Cemetery with their baby son James, and daughters Ellena Jane GOLDING and Eliza KERRIDGE, also Mary’s parents Peter & Jane PERRING.

Sadly, a Gt. Gt Grandson Geoffrey John EGGE died while researching his ancestor. His ashes are buried in the same grave.

[A thankyou to Carmel Chapman for kindly providing me with a copy of “Capt John Egge – Champion of the Rivers- Wentworth Pioneer”]

***

Another group that I have been in contact with is ‘Southern Eyre Peninsula Family & Local History Group’ and we will share our respective newsletters. If you wish to contact them the address is PO Box 2882, Pt Lincoln 5606.

***

The History Room has been able to obtain the rare book ‘Historical Highlights-Encounter Bay and Goolwa’ text by Mary Robinson; drawings by Bruce Swann. 1975. This book has both photographs and sketches of Victor Harbor, Pt Elliot, Middleton, Goolwa & Hindmarsh Island, the 1^st railway and ‘Walwa’ (a railway carriage).[quote -“stands on the river frontage near the ferry at Goolwa. This railway carriage was originally used as a vice regal coach when the Duke & Duchess of York were on tour of South Australia in 1927” ]

[Does anyone know what happened to the railway carriage?]

***

I have been advised that Allbox (providers of acid-free products to protect valuable archival documents and photographs) now have an outlet in the Office Shop, Coral Street, Victor Harbor.

***

Friends of the Goolwa Library will have their AGM on Wednesday 11^th July, at 12.15pm at the Goolwa Hotel (rear section of the Dining Room). Everyone is welcome and the cost for a 2-course meal, plus tea & coffee is - $10 financial members and $13 to non-members. Bookings can be made at the “Ask Here” desk of the Library or phone 8555 7000. Subscriptions for 2007-2008  Friends of the Library may be paid on the day. $8 family, $5 single membership.

Our after lunch speaker will be Mr Peter Christopher, author of 6 books relating to river boats and maritime history. His recently released book is ‘Australian riverboats: a pictorial history’.

Happy researching,

Dawn

Genealogy help is available by appointment on Thursdays, to guide you through your research. Please phone the Library on 8555-7000 to make an appointment. For comments, suggestions or to receive this newsletter – email

historyroom2004@yahoo.com.au or phone me, Dawn Juers on 8555-2885.

Back copies of this newsletter can be sourced on the Alexandrina Council website –

http://www.alexandrina.sa.gov.au/site/page/cfm

Back to History Room Newsletters