New Times, New Signs, and a Journey into the Past
Our March monthly meeting agreed to move from the 2nd to the last Saturday of each month to coincide with the Lions Club Markets and Senior Citizens Centre. We have tried it 3 times and find it working better as there is an increase in visitors.
A Northern NSW couple, Ian and Kerrie, investigating Ian’s family history called asking for information on a distant relative who lived in the 1860s on Ben Singleton’s Mill site. We used Reg Ford’s book to confirm his grandparents had indeed lived there. Through Trove, we found a newspaper report of his grandmother drowning in the flooded river in 1867 while attempting to reach her children on the Glen Martin side. They next decided on a visit to Clarence Town, stayed in the Williams River Holiday Park, and visited the Museum. Through the Dungog Visitors Centre, they arranged a visit to the farm containing the Mill site. I tagged along opening gates, and we received a two-hour tour from the owner. Ian was able to see the exact spot where his ancestor died, bringing the Past into the Present. Detouring home to Paterson, where Ian’s grandfather moved, the Paterson Historical Society provided further information. It’s a fine example of what the Community Builders Program envisages: visitors here for a reason who spend money in the community, and different parts of the community making it happen. In this case: Dungog Visitors Centre, Alan Green, Snowy Gorton, and Glenliam Farm.
And you may have noticed the Museum displays a new sign. Thanks to Dungog Regional Tourism! Open the last Sat of each month, 10am–2pm or by appt. Chris O’Neill, Museum Committee Secretary, CTmuseum@outlook.com 0491 346 491
