President’s Report : Tony O’Shea (President).
Hooray! The Scanpro was delivered on Wednesday, 29th May, 2019 and the supplier conducted a training session on “how to operate it” which was attended by Carole Fraser, Elizabeth Williams, Jill Hunter and Tony O’Shea. Dorothy Robinson was also present, but was too busy dealing with an influx of researchers to be able to participate in the training session.
We are still in need of donations towards the cost of the Scanpro. We obtained one-third of the money from the Community Bank “20for20” grants programme conducted in conjunction with the Bank’s 20th Birthday last February. We then applied to Pyrenees Shire Council for $5,000 under the Shire’s “Capital Works Grants” programme, and learned in mid-May that we were successful. I immediately phoned the Scanpro supplier, just in time to arrange for delivery before he departs for overseas for two months from early June!
When we receive the $5,000 from the Shire, the “Digitisation Account” will still be $400 short of the total invoice, so we are in need of more donations. We will be keeping the fund going, so that if/when we need to upgrade the equipment in the future, we can do so. I’m sure that any of our readers who care to visit the Courthouse and see the capabilities of the Scanpro will agree that it is well worth the money. We can now make use of the many reels of microfilm we have of the early Avoca, Talbot and Maryborough newspapers, early Avoca Roads Board Ratebooks, etc. (The Roads Board pre-dated the Shire.) Our old microfilm reader/printer will be going to the Avoca eWaste re-cycling facility in the next few days.
Readers may recall that some years ago our Society paid $2,500 for the first five years of the “Avoca Mail” (1863-68) newspaper to be digitised and uploaded to “Trove”. We recently paid another $1,000 for the 1869 newspaper to be done, and this is now accessible.
The ADHS Inc Committee recently formed a “Museum Sub-Committee” chaired by Dr Ron Southern, and including Tony O’Shea and Jill Hunter. This sub-committee will formulate a plan to better utilize the available documents, artefacts, etc., in our archives to regularly refresh the displays in the courthouse, and in the “History Room” at the Avoca Railway Station. Any members interested in joining the Museum subcommittee are welcome to contact Ron at ronsouthern62@gmail.com or myself at tony.oshea@icloud.com
Green Family Reunited with Avoca Uniting Church History
An interesting conversation occurred on Wednesday at the Courthouse when we had a couple from Perth W.A. visit us with a request to have a look inside the Avoca Uniting Church. It appears that the lady was the Great Grand-daughter of the maker of the bricks – Joseph GREEN. Two of the bricks close to the front door of the church bear the name Joseph GREEN and the date 1867. This gentleman was the maker of the bricks used in the construction of the church and was a member of one of the pioneering family… and who were associated with the Methodist Church in Avoca.
Messrs. CROUCH & WILSON, architects, were instructed to prepare plans and specifications for a church to hold 300 persons. The trustees accepted tenders from Messrs. GREEN & HALLAM for the brickwork and roof, and from Mr. MEADOWS for the carpenter’s work. The new church was opened on 15th March 1868 for a total cost of £900, and was enthusiastically described as ‘one of the chief ornaments of the town’.
Last year the Uniting Church congregation gathered at the church to celebrate the 150 year history of the church.
Moonambel Common Mural:
Many know little of the colourful past of The Moonambel Common. It is used today for a variety of purposes and acts as a focal point of many community activities.
The Moonambel Arts and History Group (MAHG) have been steadily working on preserving this area as it is a listed Heritage Police Precinct which is included in the Pyrenees Shire Planning Scheme Heritage overlay.
It is recorded that on December 10, 1860 a police station at Moonambel and Redbank was established…“in consequence of an extensive goldfield with a population of about 30,000 having been opened and two townships having been established at those places.”
The police station and lock-up were erected in 1861 on the police reserve. Early records describe two lock-ups and a shed as being located at the police camp. A Magistrates’ Court was then built.
Today the lock-up is hidden by the long fence running along the western side of the common. MAHG discovered this is a rare timber early portable lock-up.
In 2003 the group obtained a grant from the Department of Sustainability and Environment Historic Places and had the early portable lock-up repaired.
In 2009 they combed police historical archives in Melbourne and unearthed the only remaining Moonambel Charge Book 1883-1914.
MAHG sought ways to share this information with the community and all interested in history. They created a mural with the details listed in the charge book, they sought grants from the Pyrenees Shire, Ararat Wind Farm and money they have raised to develop this idea.
It has taken many years to achieve what is on show now. The four panels include the cover of the Moonambel Watch House Charge Book 1883-1914 and the information of the 53 people held over that long period, listing the date, name, age, country of origin, their calling, charge, the offence along with remarks.
The Moonambel Arts and History Group has achieved what they wished all those years ago. The four panels with the images created on the original mural depicting those listed in the charge book with the images of the lock-up, Court House and police residence in the background all in all giving everyone an insight of one aspect of life in Moonambel during that period. It was officially opened on Wednesday 1st May 2019.
Avoca Cemetery Trust Honours Two Former Members
In May 2019 the Avoca community was invited to join the trust members as they recognised two former long-serving trust members.
The late John Chapman Snr and Doug Streeter were both volunteer trustees for several decades and Trust Chairman, Lloyd Gollop spoke of their contribution to the development and management of the cemetery as well as their involvement with other Avoca community groups.
Community members and members of both families gathered infront of the recently established Rose Garden and the memorial plaques were unveiled by Mrs Marge Chapman and Mrs Helen Streeter.
In 2017 the Avoca Cemetery Trust developed a new section within the Avoca Cemetery in the form of a Rose Garden. The new addition, which is situated on either side of the rotunda, now provides families with another option for interning the ashes of loved ones. The Trust members selected five varieties of roses for the garden which have been in full bloom over the past 6 months and have recently been pruned by trust members in time for the unveiling of these two plaques.
<Talbot Primary School 150th anniversary Sunday August 18th>
Elva Daphne Barker : 1928—2019 “A Life of Inspiration Born of Necessity”
Well known local identity Elva Daphne Barker (nee Jardine) was born on the 18th April 1928 and lived in Avoca until her passing on the 14th April 2019, four days short of her 91st birthday.
Avoca Community Arts and Gardens together with Elva’s family will present an amazing exhibition of Elva’s paintings, tapestries, China painting, and garments and costumes in Gallery 127 during July.
A tumultuous world on the brink of war and a need for making necessities out of very little, combined with a natural artistic inclination, drew Elva into creating her own version of haute couture in her small-town environment of Avoca. With some tutoring in dressmaking from another local, Sylvia Greenwood, she made most of her own clothing with occasional help from her sister Irene.
Circa 1948 Elva and Barbara Romey opened a shop in High Street Avoca offering beautifully tailored and bespoke clothing for special events, gowns for debutante balls, weddings and tailored suits, coats and ensembles, as well as everyday clothing including an alteration service. They often travelled to Melbourne by the train to purchase materials for their small business. Elva recounted that she even made a two-piece bathing costume for herself in about 1946! For her marriage to Lawrence William Barker on the 11th of October 1952, a local boy she had known before he left to serve in the RAAF, Elva created her own beautiful lace wedding dress and a bridesmaid’s dress for her sister, Irene, which are both presented photographically in this exhibition along with many other creations undertaken for her own family as well as members of her wider community. In later life she also made gowns for ballroom dancing – again for herself and others. A range of various garments that were made by Elva are also displayed.
Gardening along with travel particularly overseas inspired her to paint on canvas and on fired china. Examples of her works are presented and reflect a high standard of competence. Elva also loved creating tapestries and would buy kits and then turn them into her own creations by changes in colours and content.
Elva’s talents went far beyond her dress making so make sure you visit Gallery 127 at the historic Avoca Railway Station in York Ave to view the creative talents of one of the town’s well loved and respected citizens– Elva Daphne Barker. The Official Opening will be on Saturday 29th June. Light refreshments served from 2pm.
Avoca Neighbourhood Watch is celebrating its 25th birthday with a special afternoon tea on Sunday 18th August at the Avoca Country Golf Club , Davy Street, Avoca between 2 and 4 pm.
The group was formed in May 1994 with approximately 30 members and our first meeting was held in the Supper Room of the Shire Hall when Ted Mawby was elected Zone Co-ordinator with Bruce Field elected Assistant Zone Co-ordinator. Kim Wardlaw was our first secretary and Vicki Wardlaw our first treasurer.
We met monthly in the supper room of the Shire Hall for many years with a member of the local constabulary attending to give a report on any criminal activity in the town/district.
We then relocated to the Elderly Citizens’ Rooms for several years before moving to the CFA rooms until this venue was put up for sale late last year.
We have held events such as ‘Safe Plate’ days where your number plate is locked into place with special locking screws. We hold an annual Christmas Dinner where our local members of the Police Force plus partners join us. We also occasionally meet with the Lexton NHW group.
Some names of earlier years are Frank Edwards who was our treasurer at one time and Colleen Allan who held the position of secretary for several years. We now meet bi-monthly on the second Monday of the month and we meet on the even months of the year, ie February; April; June; August; October and December. Sometimes we have a guest speaker and sometimes we are honoured with a local policeman.
Initially we began with 2 separate groups in the one body- an URBAN [town] group and a RURAL group. We also used to have monthly newsletters which were distributed to all the residents in both town and rural areas by local volunteers.
The URBAN and RURAL groups were each divided into zones and each zone representative then met at monthly meetings Without zone representatives, Neighbourhood Watch cannot exist. The Zone Rep. is the key link between the program and the residents.
In the URBAN group there were separate zones and zones 2,4, & 8 were on the West side of the river whilst zones are 1,3, 5,6,7,9 & 10 were on the East side of the river.
The RURAL zones were REDBANK No. 1; NATTE YALLOCK No. 2; MOONAMBEL & TANWOOD No. 3; RATHSCAR & HOMEBUSH No. 4; PERCYDALE No.5; BUNG BONG No.6; AMPHITHEATRE No.7; LAMPLOUGH & LILLICUR No.8. Each zone was represented.
Today we are a small band of about 10 and we meet regularly every second month at Wesley Hall on the second Monday at 8pm.
Our Mission Statement is:-
To be a vibrant, inclusive and effective organization that improves the safety and security of community life across Victoria. We do this by supporting our members and partners in promoting crime prevention, resilient communities and social inclusion.
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria (NHW) is a not-for-profit community based organization where volunteers me together to make their communities safer and promote closer community ties and crime prevention initiatives.
The NHW program in Victoria has operated since 1983. In the past there were approximately 1,300 NHW areas across Victoria, covering more than 900,000 households and 2.8 million people. However in recent years, NHW active areas and membership areas have reduced significantly.
So please come and help us celebrate our 25th birthday on SUNDAY 18TH AUGUST 2019,between 2pm and 4pm with a special afternoon tea at the Avoca Country Golf & Bowls Club, Davy St. Avoca.
Another contribution to “Pyrenees Pioneers” by ADHS Inc Member Peter O’Halloran.
(The Editor would be delighted if a few more members could emulate Peter’s example!)
The Curtis Ancestry – The Early Days. James Foulkes, Convict
Where to start is a common problem for history writers especially those who write family histories as there are usually four or more families to choose from. I was faced with such a choice and could have elected to start with the Cartwrights or with Robert Curtis himself. However, I have decided to begin with the earliest ancestor to arrive in Australia from among the subject families.
At the outset I should explain that my Mother’s maiden name was Curtis – Eileen Cecilia Curtis. The mother of her father, John Curtis was Jane Cartwright while Jane’s father was George Cartwright. John Curtis’s father was George Edward Curtis, the step-son of Robert Curtis but the biological result of Martin Carney’s liaison with Mary Ann Foulkes. Robert Curtis arrived in Australia on the ‘Erasmus’ in 1853 and married Mary Ann Foulkes in 1866. The patriarch of the Foulkes family, James had arrived on Australian shores much earlier and that is where I shall begin this odyssey.
The name Foulkes is one of those that is a real nightmare for genealogists because it has a number of phonetic versions. I have come across several spellings of the name in my research including Fokes, Foakes, Foaks, Faulkes, Folkes, Folks, Fowks, Fowkes, even Fooks, and so on. For the sake of simplicity I have elected to adopt the version of the name used by latter day members of the family who had a greater command of literacy than their ancestors. The current members of the family now use Foulkes as their family name and that is the one I will use here. Not only that, but during the course of my research it was pointed out to me that James Foulkes was a convict transported to Australia and ‘Foulkes’ was how British officialdom referred to him. More of that later.
Initially, I was able to identify James Foulkes as one of the early ancestors by tracing the lineage starting with my grandfather John Curtis’s marriage certificate that identified his father as George Edward Curtis whose death certificate showed his mother as Mary Ann Foulkes. It was then easy enough to locate Mary Ann’s death certificate that listed her parents as James Christopher Foulkes and Ellen Croke.
Statistically, Foulkes is a relatively uncommon name and when it cropped up during the course of my research it came to mind that when I worked in the Electrical Engineering Branch of the Victorian Railways between 1965 and 1967, the Chief Electrical Engineer at that time was one Herbert Charles Foulkes. Herb who was born on 20 July 1902, had been a Lieutenant Colonel in the Australian Army during World War II and I wondered if he was possibly related to the Foulkes in our family. I searched the births, deaths and marriages indexes and discovered that Herb married Grace Lanyon Hocking at Christ Church, South Yarra on 1st December, 1928 and that his parents were listed as Charles Foulkes, civil servant, and Margaret Irwin. However, at this stage there appears to be no obvious connection with our family.
Getting back to James Foulkes, according to Ancestry and other Internet sources, the family name seems to have its genesis in both Cornwall and Wales with mining being the predominant occupation of the males but, as I was soon to find out, that was not the case with our James Foulkes
Having established from Mary Ann’s death certificate that her parents were James Foulkes and Ellen Croke, I was able to locate the details of the registration of their marriage that occurred on 23rd January, 1842. Given the marriage date of 1842 was a fairly early one in terms of the settlement of Victoria that had occurred only seven years earlier, it was obvious that both Ellen and James had been early arrivals. However, in James’s case I could find no record in the shipping registers of his arrival as an immigrant. On the other hand, as noted below, Ellen’s arrival was quickly located.
I temporarily shelved my research into James Foulkes and directed my attention to George Cartwright. In the process of tracing George’s family on the Ancestry website I came across a family tree containing details of George’s family that confirmed my earlier investigations. I contacted the owner of this particular tree, one Sarah Bos, and sent her an enquiring email to see if she had additional information that I could use in this book. Details of her tree on Ancestry suggested that she was a relative but I noted that she appeared to be based in England. Shortly after, I received an email from Sarah, who turned out to be the great granddaughter of Roy Horan Curtis, John (Colonel) Curtis’s brother. Via email it transpired that Sarah had recently arrived back in Sydney with her husband and two children after some ten years working in the UK. While in England, Sarah had done some family research herself but raising her young family had taken priority in recent years. Sarah was glad I had contacted her and kindly offered me the benefit of her own family research, starting with a collection of documents that suggested James Foulkes had been a convict who was transported to Australia for a term of seven years. Naturally, this was very exciting news.
Long after the convict era ended, the stigma attached to having convict ancestry remained. The ‘stain’ of convict heritage was something to be hidden rather than celebrated. The 1970s were a turning point, with changing social values and a new openness to understanding our past. Historians began to consider the lives and experiences of ‘ordinary’ people — the working classes, women, migrants, Aboriginal people, children and even convicts — who had previously been overlooked by history. Yet modern Australian society, early industries and agriculture were founded largely by convicts. Today finding a convict in one’s family tree has become a badge of honour. It is estimated that one in ten Australians has a convict ancestor.
During the writing of my first book ‘Pirates’, I was often asked by curious relations whether I had uncovered a convict in the family. I had even been given a couple of promising leads in this regard but they turned out to unconnected to my O’Halloran family. That James Foulkes may have been a convict had some currency in family circles as Colonel had mentioned it to me when I was a youngster and Sarah recalls talk of a convict in the family from her own grandmother.
The papers sent by Sarah included the details of not one convict named James Foulkes but two, with Sarah admitting that she was unsure which was the right one. On this point I had to agree as the circumstances surrounding the transportation of these two men had an uncanny similarity about them. However, we have documentary evidence confirming the birth date of the man who married Mary Ann Croke and I think this is good enough to allow us to accept which of the two was her husband. In the table on the following page I have included the basic details of the crime and conviction of both men who I have chosen to identify by way of the vessels on which they were transported to Australia. The details shown in the table were sourced from Convict records held in the New South Wales Archives and the Convict register of the United Kingdom.
I will admit that we don’t have much to go on but if we look at the birth year of 1811 of the “Lady Faversham” James Foulkes and his occupation of ‘labourer’ we see that these details are in accord with the details shown on his Death Certificate, notwithstanding how basic that document appears.