Muzzle blast Fort Scratchley Historical Society Newsletter August 2013

In this Issue:

President’s Report Page 2

Update on future events Page 3

What's been happening Page 4-5

News from our Library Page 6

From the Artefacts Desk Page 7

Management Committee Page 8

Newcastle RSL Pipe Band - Australia Day 2013 Image: Ron Barber

President’s Report

2 Fort Scratchley Historical Society Inc

M any members will have read or seen articles in

the local media regarding a “Plan of

Management” for Fort Scratchley. This is nothing new as

statutory regulations require Councils to revise their plan

of management for public land every five years; the last

one for the Fort was prepared in 2008. Members of your

Executive Committee have been involved in all

workshops and meetings.

Given the range of people attending these various

workshops not all ideas will be in line with your Society’s

goals, however, until the final draft document is released

in October I can only say that the direction and views

expressed are promising.

The next challenge will arise when the draft document is

released in October. At this point the Committee will

need to review the draft in detail and respond to Council

with any concerns. As mentioned previously, I feel that

our relationship with Newcastle City Council is stronger

than ever and I trust that the completion of this

document will be another positive step in building this

relationship.

The Society continues to be successful with obtaining

small grants, the latest being $4850 from the annual

Federal Government Community Grants. This money

will provide the museum team with four new lap top

computers, and go a long way to solving problems that

have existed for years in relation to a secure and reliable

system for our records.

I had hoped to advise of a grant towards the

reconstruction of the Western Barbette but at the time of

writing no advice has been received, hopefully, it will

materialise in the near future.

Our attention is now returning to the completion of room

4 in the museum. We continue to look at all funding

opportunities for this project which is anticipated to be in

the vicinity of $70,000.

Your Society, in co-operation with Newcastle City

Council, has entered into an agreement with the

Department of Corrective Services whereby people

required to perform community service are working at the

Fort to assist in the upkeep of the grounds. When next

you visit, please have a good look around, I think you will

see a tremendous improvement within the Fort’s

grounds. We are hopeful that the coming months will see

the removal of all the unsightly bitou bush and

associated weeds.

Looking forward, our next major event is the October

long weekend and I am pleased to advise that 2NURFM

will again support the day and broadcast live from the

Fort. Their involvement last year saw one of the largest

open day crowds on record.

Don’t forget that the AGM is on Sunday 22nd September

and I look forward to seeing as many members there as

possible. Come along and enjoy a stroll around the

grounds after the meeting.

Regards

Frank Carter

Western Barbette - August 2013

Update on future events

Volume 32 – Issue 3 August 2013 3

S unday, 22nd September, 2013 - Annual

General Meeting (AGM), commencing at 10

am in the Multi Purpose Centre at Fort Scratchley

(refer enclosed notice).

Monday, 7th October, 2013 - “Open Day” at the

Fort between 10 am and 4 pm. Guns will fire at 11

am, 1 pm, & 3 pm. The Time Gun Cannon firing is

at 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 12,30 pm, 1.30 pm & 2.30

pm. Displays and Condensed Tunnel Tour (20

Minutes) at $5 per person conducted during the

day. Sausage sandwiches available ($2.50) by

Lions Club, and an on-site coffee van.

Saturday, 7th December, 2013 - Member’s

Christmas Party. In the Barrack Rooms. This

function is for members and partners of the Fort

Scratchley Historical Society Inc. Approximate

cost will be $10 per person.

Members are required to provide their own tables

and chairs, together with drinks and nibbles. Buffet

type meal will be supplied. Some tables and chairs

will be available, however, these will not be

sufficient to accommodate everyone. Jennifer &

John will entertain those attending, commencing

at 5.30 pm.

You must book your name to attend. Notices will

be sent out middle of November. Names will be

checked at the entrance. Non Members or visitors

may attend at a cost of $35 per person (to cover

cost of catering and other expenses)

Tuesday, 31st December, 2013 - NEW year’s

Eve at the Fort. The Fort has been booked by a

private group for this year’s New Year’s Eve

Celebrations. It is estimated that there will be

approximately 300 in attendance. This group will

occupy the Barrack Rooms and the bottom area at

the Fort.

However, it is still planned that members of the

Society and their friends will be allowed to come

to the Fort to enjoy the evening and watch the

Fireworks.

There will be no catering, guest will be required to

provide their own tables, chairs, picnic type meal

and drinks. The Society will occupy the top area of

the Fort (near the guns and Observation Post

where there will be no cover). It is planned to

commence around 5.30 pm and conclude by 10

pm. This year there will be no midnight fireworks.

(Further details later).

Saturday, 26th January, 2014. - Australia Day

Celebrations – “Open Day”. The usual

celebrations will be conducted at the Fort with

re-enactments, guns firing, bands and sausage

sizzle. (Further details will be published in the next

issue of “Muzzle Blast”).

Saturday, 15th March, 2014 is the proposed

date for Music of the Guns. The programme will

commence at 6.30pm, and conclude at 8.30pm.

The venue site will be the top parade ground at

Fort Scratchley. Seating will be provided. The

price per ticket will be approximately $15.00.

Further details on this event will be provided when

they become available.

For further details contact the Fort Scratchley Historical

Society Office between 10 am and 3.30 pm Wednesday

to Monday, - closed Tuesday. (Ph: 49 29 3066).

Regards

Carl Christie

Events Coordinator, F.S.H.S.

What’s been happening

4 Fort Scratchley Historical Society Inc

Christmas in July dinner in the “Casemate” held in the

tunnels on Thursday 25th July, 2013 was very

successful, with fifty five (55) members and their

partners/guests in attendance. The food was excellent

and the atmosphere great. Music was provided by John

and Jennifer Holder (Krysalis), and was much

appreciated by all in attendance. (Opposite are images

of the night taken by Ron Barber).

FSHS was asked to participate on the opening night of

the City Evolutions project held in Watt Street on 21st

June 2013 by providing our refurbished searchlight. This

light was shone on various historical buildings in the

vicinity.

Many images were displayed on buildings and sites

depicting Watt Street and Newcastle City’s development.

This display will be continuing each night from 5.30pm

until 10pm for the next 12 months (cont on page 6).

S ince the last Muzzle Blast there have been a few

events to report. As to be expected all have been

highly successful.

The Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June saw 1500+

through the main gates. These numbers included

crowds made up of large family groups demonstrating

that Fort Scratchley is ageless in appeal.

Visitors were happy wondering around the grounds, and

with food and drinks available, along with tunnel tours,

our Museum open, firing of the Mk V11 6”guns, and the

time gun fired at regular intervals, they were kept

entertained.

The top parade ground has now become the perfect

gallery level for viewing the firing of the time gun.

at the Fort

Volume 32 – Issue 3 August 2013 5

Cont.

6 Fort Scratchley Historical Society Inc

The Australian Girls Choir (approx 45 girls) also dropped

in to say hi on 19th July before preparing for a concert

that night.

The girls surprised the guides and visitors at the Fort

with a impromptu rendition of “What shall we do with a

drunken sailor” in the quadrangle. They had everyone,

including the guides, swaying to the music.

Our

Librarian

Sue

If you are yet to visit Watt Street it is well worth the effort.

For more information you can check out this web

address http://cityevolutions.com/watts-on-watt/.

Groups from various organisations continue to be

regular fixtures at the Fort. The guides thoroughly enjoy

imparting their knowledge with the visitors, and also the

banter and occasional joke.

One such group revved up their engines and arrived at

the Fort in June, namely the Ulysses Club. Originating in

Australia, this is a social club for motorcyclists who get

together for companionship and organise group rides.

Hello and welcome to my first Library report. For the many of you who do not know me my name is Sue and I have been working to organise the Library since February 2012. I am in the library on Tuesday and

Wednesday every week, health permitting.

While there are many donations still waiting to be catalogued I have completed the re-cataloguing of the Military Pamphlets except for a few strays. Also, the last of the multitude of books donated from the estate of Lt. Col. Stuart Staziker are being woven in with our existing

collection.

Your Library is in good hands as I have accepted guardianship of the books, military pamphlets and

journals that make up the collection.

Opening night in Watt Street

Ulysses Club enjoying the view at Fort Scratchley

LIBRARY NEWS

From the Artefacts Desk

Volume 32 – Issue 3 August 2013 7

Murray Bennett

Y ou will note that the above heading has only one

name. Ian Boyd who was my compatriot in the

Artefacts dungeon for many years has retired. Ian, and

his lovely wife Felicity have been a valuable part of Fort

Scratchley for many years, and their retirement has left a

huge hole. We miss you both. I think the cold winter

mornings had a bit to do with Ian’s decision, so snuggle

up and enjoy your lie in.

As you know we get many items donated to us that have

a history which is unique to an individual or item. It is not

possible to do a full story on each and every one for our

magazine Muzzle Blast.

Recently, a box of material was put on my desk, and I

think it may be of interest to you all. It is from the 1st

World War period and is a brief history of Private T.S.

Pavey – Badge No 2130 – 30th Battalion – 8th Brigade

A.I.F.

Tom Pavey embarked for the front on the S.S. Ballarat

A70 on 16th February 1916. He was in Egypt on April

1916 when he became ill and subsequently was

medically discharged and sent home. He passed away in

Newcastle Hospital on December 1916.

We have Tom Pavey’s 1914-1918 War Medal, and a

copy of the New Testament given to him by an old friend

on his departure to the front. The inscription wishes him

luck and a safe return.

Also included is a remarkable handbook called ‘The

British Soldier’s English, Arabic, and French pocket

Guide”.

It written by Mohammad Hammam, sold by Mostafa

Mohammed, and printed by Mohamed M. Matar Cairo,

Egypt. Note the three different spellings of Mohammad.

It is what is inside this beautiful handbook that is so

special. From page one is a conversion of English

money, then some general questions eg yes sir – Naam

ya seedi – Oui Monsieur, I am very poor – Ana Maskeen

– Je suis aplaindre. The headings over the rest of the

pages are days of the week, months of the year, the

time, the seasons, the money, cardinal numbers, more

questions, the bar, entreating, news, in a restaurant,

visit, in the way, a donkey boy, and a beggar.

We have copied a couple of pages to get an idea of the

language at that time.

8 Fort Scratchley Historical Society Inc

Management Committee:

President: Frank Carter

Vice President: Carl Christie RFD, ED, JP

Secretary: Terry O’Brien RFD, ED

Treasurer: Frank Graham

Committee: Ron Barber

John Cater

Peter Hair

Lionel Keevers

Al Murphy

Graham Postlethwaite

Publicity Officer: Rod Davies

Appointed Officers:

Public Officer: Terry O’Brien

Web Master: Bruce Carter

RSL Rep: David Edmond

BECOME A VOLUNTEER AT FORT

SCRATCHLEY. - THERE ARE MANY

AND VARIED JOBS. - DO SOMETHING

INTERESTING WITH YOUR TIME.

Contact the Society’s Office and leave your

name: Ph: (02) 4929 3066

E-mail: fortscratchley@bigpond.com

Website: www.fortscratchley.org.au

PRIVACY STATEMENT

Information contained in this

Newsletter is only for the members

of the Fort Scratchley Historical

Society Incorporated.

From the Editor: If you have an interesting story,

funny jokes etc please send it to Janise White c/- the

Admin Office. The next issue of Muzzle Blast will be

November 2013. Don’t forget our next Open Day on

7th October 2013.

No responsibility is accepted for any errors,

omissions, or other shortcomings of this and other

issues of this Newsletter “MUZZLE BLAST”.

The Jokes Column

The incoming son-in-law

To find out about the young man dating his daughter, a business tycoon invites the boy to his study for green tea. "So what are your plans?" the father asks the boy. "I am a religious scholar and want to marry your daughter." he replies. "A scholar." the father says. "Admirable, but, what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live

in,

As she's accustomed to?" "I will study." the young man replies, "And, God will provide for us." "And, how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she deserves?" asks the father. "I will concentrate on my studies." the young man replies, "God will provide for us." "And, children?" asks the father. "How will you support children?" "Don't worry, sir, God will provide," replies the boy. The conversation precedes like this, and each time the father questions, the boy insists that God will provide. Later, the mother asks, "How did it go?" The father answers, "He has no job and no plans, but, the good news is that he thinks I'm God."