The goings on

Historical Society Annual Meeting

There was an overflow crowed for the Annual General Meeting. As usual it was first in first served for the seating. Those who arrived a minute or two late had to sit on the floor or hang out the door. Obviously we need some more chairs. It was great to welcome some new attenders, who we hope will become members. Pam Hesse brought along some wonderful old photographs of early Helensburgh and Otford. We also welcomed Sharan Mills, Michelle Durant, Celia Lewis and Geoff Sykes. Geoff told us of the play he is preparing to present at the CWA hall Stanwell Park during Heritage Week, called Total Fire Ban. This should be a sell-out performance and fits with our Christmas fire display at the Community Center and the Surgery on April 28 in Heritage Week.

There was of course a spirited battle for Society positions, with the incumbents holding out against impressive odds. We welcome to the executive Jenny Mason who has taken on the onerous task of Vice President.

In the reports, the President, Linda Bunclark spoke of how the Society has grown since its reformation. It's home in the Old Mine Surgery along with the already large number of historical items, gives the Society a vital task is the preservation of the life of our community. She thanked all for their dedication to this task.......

The restoration of the original railway station

Congratulations to Allan and Marilyn House and our local Landcare group for their work on the restoration of the remaining section of the original Helensburgh station, the rail bed and tunnel opening. The mine was able to supply a section of track for authenticity and so the site now looks like the real thing. A replica of the station sign will soon be on site.

The tunnel illustrated was used by the mine for water storage until recent times. It is still closed off at the other end and fills up with water after heavy rain.

The Lion's Club Fair, Helensburgh Park

The Lion's Club Fair was a great success again and as usual your Historical Society ran a stall selling the last of the memorabilia from the Helensburgh Centenary (although we have found a fresh supply) and showed off some of our archive material. Our stall again generated interest from the locals, particularly as we now had our display stand and our own canopy. As illustrated, we had a rather famous visitor who took time to view our display (photograph by Linda Bunclark), namely, the Premier of New South Wales, the honourable Mr. Bob Carr. Betty Warn, with her back to the camera, bent his ear about retaining the present date for Australia Day, although Bryan Findlayson, on the right of the photo, took a counter position arguing for a long weekend, any long weekend, rather than celebrating "Invasion Day" (all done in good fun of course).

The Society takes action over the Helensburgh Cemetery

Allan House and Bryan Findlayson, representing the Historical Society and Allan also wearing his Landcare hat, along with the secretary of the Lion's Club, tried again to draw Council's attention to the deplorable state of the Helensburgh Cemetery. Again we observed the rather strange response of Council officers toward local concerns. Numerous residents commented on the article published in the Illawarra Mercury, expressing amazement at the total disregard expressed by Council toward local concerns. Ms Turnbull, speaking for the Council, saw no problem with the porta loo placed at the entrance of the cemetery, nor it seems for any other concerns expressed. Other than seeking the return of the cemetery to a local trust, from which it was excised some years ago by Council, what more can we do?

The illustration appeared in the Illawarra Mercury with the news item. It shows the porta loo with the society secretary, Bryan Findlayson, looking on.

The society is glad to announce that the Council was embarrassed into action. The porta loo was removed and landscaping is progressing.