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MAY 2021
THE OLD FAIRBRIDGIANS’ ASSOCIATION - MOLONG
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President:Derek Moriarty 46 Holborn Street BERKELEY NSW 2506Ph: H. 02 4271 1417 M. 0429 494 021E-mail: [email protected]
Vice President:Janet Barby1 Pioneer Place ORANGE NSW 2800Ph: H. 02 6360 4343E-mail: [email protected]
Secretary:Sandra Moriarty 46 Holborn Street BERKELEY NSW 2506Ph: H. 02 4271 1417 M. 0412 499245E-mail: [email protected]
Treasurer:Dudley Hill 38/59 Wrights Road DRUMMOYNE NSW 2047Ph: M. 0418 665 130Email: [email protected]
ORDINARY BOARD MEMBERSBrian North 1 Illawon Street BERKELEY NSW 2506 Ph: H. 02 4272 7343
Ian “Smiley” BayliffUnit 205 2/4 Parc Guell CAMPBELLTOWN NSW 2560Ph: H. 02 4628 8338 E-mail: [email protected]
Dennis Piercy32 Symphony Avenue STRATHPINE QLD 4500Ph: 0417 602280E-mail: [email protected]
David Hill 107 Clovelly Road RANDWICK NSW 2031Ph: M. 0412 197 375E-mail: [email protected]
June Piercy32 Symphony Avenue STRATHPINE QLD 4500Ph: M. 0409 619493E-mail: [email protected]
Susan Carantinos29 Monarchy Way NARARA NSW 2250E-mail: [email protected]
AREA REPRESENTATIVES
QueenslandMary O’Brien20/157 Long Street CLEVELAND QLD 4163Ph: 0438 648 852E-mail: [email protected]
South AustraliaBrian Kirkby 55 Torrens Road RIVERTON SA 5412Tel: 0412 501 137Email: [email protected]
Western AustraliaMike Walker159 Carmel Road CARMEL WA 6076Ph: 08 9293 5008E-mail: [email protected]
New ZealandJane Oakes66 Snell Dve FAIRFIELD HAMILTON NEW ZEALANDPh: 0011 647 8552 453E-mail: [email protected]
United KingdomRay Tate178 Bell Lane KESGRAVE IPSWICH SUFFOLK1P57 1NB ENGLANDPh: 01473 622 187
NEWSLETTER EDITORJune Piercy32 Symphony Avenue STRATHPINE QLD 4500Ph: 0409 619 493E-mail: [email protected]
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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESKHello to all Old Fairbridgians and their families, We’re now well into 2021 and I hope it’s a better year for you than 2020 was! To our Old Fairbridgians who live in Victoria, we’re thinking of you and hope the latest lockdown lifts soon.
Letters regarding the National Redress Scheme and how it may apply to Old Fairbridgians are attached to this newsletter.
Please see important notices on page four regarding our 2022 reunion.
Thank you to those who contributed articles for this newsletter. Please remember it’s your newsletter and we’d love to hear about past memories or current news etc.
Cut off date for the November 2021 newsletter is the 18th October. Please send e-mails to [email protected] with “Fairbridge” or “newsletter” in the subject line. If you haven’t given us your e-mail address or it’s changed, please advise President Derek. Alternatively, if you don’t have a personal e-mail address but have a friend or relative who would pass our e-mails onto you, please advise Derek [email protected]
Dennis and I were very sad to hear that our friend Paul Ellis passed away on the 10th May after a long illness. Paul was well known for his kindness and his wonderful sense of humour. He used to tease me about being 149cm tall (it reminded him he had to buy a gnome for his garden!) and after I became newsletter Editor I often warned him to be careful because I now had the power of the press. It didn’t deter him, thank goodness, but now I’m carrying out my threat and mentioning Paul in my column. I wish it was under very different circumstances. RIP dear friend. We’ll miss you.
We’re also very sorry to hear that we lost Peter Bennett recently. Peter contributed much to the OFA for many years and will also be sadly missed. Our condolences go to both families.
I’ve heard of several OFA members who are in ill health, who are recovering from surgery or are awaiting surgery. Very best wishes go to those currently facing health or other life challenges.
June PiercyEditor
PRESIDENT’S REPORTHello once again to all Old Fairbridgians and families,
Much has changed since the May 2020 newsletter went out, especially all things Covid-19 related. This time last year the situation across much of Australia meant that travel, although not completely banned, was very difficult owing to border closures, lockdowns etc. coming into effect just one week after the opening of the Fairbridge Children’s Park!
Restricted numbers at funerals, weddings, church services and even gatherings in the family home resulted in lifestyle changes that none of us had ever experienced previously. Overseas travel became a non-event, limited numbers of passengers allowed on public transport, with masks compulsory and queuing up for toilet paperand other “necessary items” at the supermarket, again with masks compulsory, became the norm.
Kids doing “home schooling”, people “working from home”, entertainment closed down everywhere, pubs and clubs, cafes and restaurants either closed or may as well have been at times. No need to mention the drought that went on forever, the horrendous bushfires in the summer of 2019/2020, or the floods through Queensland, NSW and Victoria earlier this year. To top it all off, all major sporting events that were allowed to proceed, did so to empty stadiums!
Despite all the above, we have survived and are slowly returning to life as we previously knew it. We only have to follow the daily news broadcasts from around the world to realise how fortunate we are to be living in Australia. If you don’t think so, “Google Covid-19 around the globe”.
While we probably all question some of the Government’s decisions in this battle, I think the results speak for themselves, including getting vaccinated sooner rather than later.
The above article is my personal view and not necessarily that of the Board of the OFA.
On a more positive note, many of you are aware of the 2021 National Trust Heritage Award recently awarded to the Fairbridge Children’s Park. Please see the full report from Dudley Hill,the Park Project Manager and Treasurer of the
OFA. Who would have thought back in late 2017 when we held our first couple of meetings to
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discuss the construction of a memorial park for the Fairbridge kids and elected a Park Management Committee to oversee the project, that we would not only end up with such a magnificent park and roadside rest stop alongside the Mitchell Highway, but that it would win such a prestigious Award.
When we announced the idea at the 2018 AGM, it was well received by everyone, although we weren’t sure how we were going to build it at the time. Of course the project could never have eventuated without a number of financial grants. However, the caveat for the major grant from Create NSW, a State Government organisation, was that the Fairbridge kids needed to raise at least $20,000.00. This was achieved in no time at all and the major funding for the Park, a tidy $500,000.00, was provided, as had been promised, by John Barilaro, Deputy Premier of NSW when he first visited the site in 2018.
Further funding came from donations from BHP Ltd, $25,000; Newcrest Mining (Cadia Goldmine) $20,000; the Rawson Family $20,000; an additional Grant of $100,000.00 from the State Government; $96,000 courtesy of The Prince’s Trust (UK), and $150,000 from The Department of Veterans Affairs for construction of the Services’ Memorial.
While I think Dudley has likely already thanked everyone who has contributed to the Park, I would like to thank all the Fairbridge kids who got the ball rolling by donating to the project. From memory I think we received over $2,700 straight after the AGM!
Once again we have new information concerning the National Redress Scheme and the fact that all kids who went to any of the Fairbridge Homes in Australia can now lodge a claim. See the attached letter from Margaret Humphries CBE, AO from CMT, and the accompanying document from Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, Minister for the Department of Social Services in this issue.
Again, we do not want to give anyone false hope that any claim you might decide to make will necessarily be successful, but at least we know we are now eligible to lodge a claim. As is pointed out in Margaret Humphries’ letter, feel free to contact The Child Migrants’ Trust to discuss your situation.
It is suggested that while many Old Fairbridgians would be unlikely to benefit from the Redress Fund, anyone who was not a claimant in the Class Action, or who came out under the one and two parent schemes and were thereby excluded from the Ex-Gratia Payment awarded following the UK Inquiry may be eligible.
In addition to seeking help from The Child Migrants’ Trust, the Government has organised Knowmore Legal Services to assist applicants in lodging a claim. They can be contacted at https://knowmore.org.au or Tel: 1800 605 762. This is a free service.
At the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the OFA held at Penrith Ex Services Club on the 14th March a discussion was held regarding social media and all things OFA related, i.e. Facebook page/group?, OFA website etc.
As a result of this discussion, new OFA member Trevor Lloyd kindly volunteered to look at how we might be able to consolidate and/or improve what we currently have. Trevor has kindly put together a discussion paper and has recently held meaningful conversations with Brian Kirkby, our former Secretary and administrator of our current Website. It is not intended to control in any way the Facebook sites from the web page, just to provide links to them. The matter will be raised at the next Board Meeting. For further details and/or discussion, please contact Trevor on: [email protected] Mob: 0409 127 185, or Brian on: [email protected] Mob: 0412 501 137.
In closing, to any OF’s not enjoying the best of health, we wish you well.
Derek MoriartyPresident
The 84th Reunion and Annual General Meeting of the Old Fairbridgians’ Association – Molong Inc. will be held on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th March 2022 respectively, at the Orange Ex Services Club. Members are reminded that accommodation can be hard to come by at that time of the year, so you are advised to book early.
Booking slips and an update on details will be included in the November Newsletter. Closing date for bookings is Friday 28 th February 2022 and all tickets must be paid for in advance.
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So that we can book the appropriately-sized function room for the dinner, would you please contact Derek or newsletter editor June Piercy asap to advise if you think you’ll be attending next year’s reunion.Derek: E-mail [email protected] or text message to 0429 494 021June: E-mail [email protected] or text message to 0409 619493
With many of us not seeing Fairbridge Children’s Park since its opening in March 2020, I’d like to know asap how many people would be interested in having a “Picnic in the Park” at the 2022 reunion in the middle of the day on Saturday 12th March. If it seems like we’ll have sufficient numbers, I’ll organise a coffee and/or food van to attend. Please contact me on the above e-mail or mobile number if you’re interested.
June Piercy
SECRETARY'S REPORTGreetings all,
The 83rd Annual General Meeting of our Association held at the Penrith RSL Club on the 14th March, 2021 was attended by sixteen members. There were nineteen apologies.A warm welcome was extended to new members Trevor LLoyd and his sister Jean, this being their first meeting.
Once again the Board held an unusually high number of meetings throughout the year, mainly relating to matters connected with the Fairbridge Children’s Park, many of which were called at very short notice. Thank you to all the Board Members for your assistance in these matters.
As usual we have included a statement of financial standing in this Newsletter. However, do not be alarmed if you did not receive one, it means you are financial to the 30th June, 2024 or beyond.
Members are reminded that the annual subscription is currently $10.00 per year (including spouse) and covers the financial year from 1st July to 30th June each year. Subscriptions can be paid in advance and would be most welcome.
Payment can be made by bank transfer to the OFA at BSB 062111, Account Number: 00906920 or by sending your
cheque or money order by post to:
The Secretary OFA46 Holborn Street BERKELEY NSW 2506
Please add your name as reference if paying by bank transfer.
Sandra MoriartySecretary
TREASURER’S REPORTHello to all fellow (Molong) Old Fairbridgians, I trust this report finds you all well.
As per the summary of our cash position and the bank statements for 30 April 2021, we remain in a very healthy financial position. All of the liabilities listed are anticipated to be after completing the remaining element of the Fairbridge Children’s Park (FCP) to be constructed, being the Turnout Interpretive Art Installation. This will leave a balance $37,403.20. made up of $5,900.51 in the Administrative Fund’s Account and $31,403.20 in the FCP Construction and Maintenance Account. The balance in the latter account is essential for the ongoing maintenance and repair of the park and is far less than we would have hoped.
Many of your members will already be aware that the Fairbridge Children’s Park was entered into the National Trust NSW Heritage Awards competition in the Education and Interpretive section. We were among the five shortlisted for the awards from the fourteen entries. Imagine our delight when we were announced as the winner! Also included at the end of this newsletter is an extract from the Central Western Daily Report of the Heritage Award Presentation together with an extract from a letter of congratulation from the Mayor of Cabonne Council, Councillor Kevin Beatty. The park continues to enjoy great patronage by both locals and visitors. Since the Heritage Award there have even been bus tours arriving.
It has been a personal privilege to have been so heavily involved in the management of this project. It is, I believe, something of which we can all be very proud.
In closing, I note the passing of Paul Ellis and Peter Bennett recently. To their respective families my sincere condolences.
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OFA CASH POSITION 30 APRIL 2021
CBA Admin Account $5,900.51Horizon FCP Account $122,244.46Total $128,144.97
Liabilities Clouston Assocs $3,000.00 Central Signs $9778.00Central Signs – Turnout Artwork $57,468.00 Coordinated Landscapes – Park retention $12,605.22Coordinated Landscapes – War Memorial retention $7,890.55Total liabilities $90,741.77
Net position $37,403.20
Dudley HillHon Treasurer and Public OfficerOld Fairbridgians Association Molong Incorporated.
FAMILY RESTORATION FUNDThe Family Restoration Fund has been postponed until further notice. Many countries, including the U.K. have introduced movement restrictions for overseas visitors. The Child Migrant’s Trust will keep this situation under constant review to ensure that the advice is timely and relevant. Contact the Child Migrant’s Trust for information. https://www.childmigrantstrust.com/
JANET BARBY (nee Ellis)My big brother Paul Ellis recently passed away on the 10th May after a long illness. I’m going to miss him so much. I already miss him! He was a great brother and I can’t thank him enough for what he did for me when we were growing up. He was my rock and was always there for me. Paul will be sadly missed, not just by me and my family, but by many people.
NYASA HOLMES Military MemorialI was planning to go to the opening of the Military Memorial in the Fairbridge Park on behalf of one of the boys whose name is remembered there. However, the weather forecast for that day was not good and being older and slightly disabled, I couldn’t get there. However, I have now visited the Park and I found the name I was interested in and I would like to let you know a little of the history of this soldier.
His name was Thomas Leonard Mitchell (only ever known to us all at Fairbridge as Micky.) I don’t remember Micky that well as I was only about ten years old when he died, but I have a recollection of a good natured, cheerful, happy-go-lucky character. He came out to Fairbridge in 1938, aged twelve years and if I remember, he was from Wales. He fought in the Korean War and was seriously injured and ended up in Concord Hospital for quite some time before he died of his war wounds. He was engaged to a Fairbridge girl, Mavis Fitzpatrick and if I remember, my mother Ruth Woods, used to go down to Concord on the train regularly to be with Micky and Mavis as she felt they should not be alone at such a stressful time.
Following Micky’s death, Mavis later went on to marry Arthur Durose and had two children, Robbie and Ruthie. The family spent some time at Fairbridge when they were young and I have some photos of Robert and Ruthie, so if they read this article, I would like to give them the photos. I can be contacted on 0427 452221.Nyasa Holmes
CAROLE OSBORNE (nee Wilcox)Hello one and all Old Fairbridgians.
I wish to cancel my membership and delete my name from receiving any further correspondence about ten years in my life I would rather forget.
A visit back to Fairbridge has been in my “bucket” list from the age of sixteen years. I thought with my husband with me, the reunion last March was a good date to aim for, having had approximately sixty years of remembrance would have left enough time to face it, however we arrived with Brian taking over for me.
I would like to thank Mike Walker for looking after him at the dinner. I spent three days at the motel, however, the first night with people arriving, showed me I was not going to make it. I want to thank everyone, especially David Hill, who dedicated so much time and life over the years in completing the planning, applying for funding and putting the hard ‘yakka’ into making the park.
Before I go, I would like for all of you who knew my family, to let you know today where they are. I had seven siblings: Peter, Roger, Barry, Maxwell, Stephen, Janet and Patricia.
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Roger the eldest arrived at Molong with Barry and Maxwell, who changed his name legally at seventeen to “John”. Roger took his own life at age 22. I visited Stephen in Port Pirie in 1978. We talked about Fairbridge well into the night. I hadn’t heard from him since he left Fairbridge. I didn’t realise just how much abuse he had suffered, especially sexual abuse. Stephen took his own life at the age of 34, not long after that visit.
Barry passed away aged 63 years. He had lung cancer. He married, however, only had three stepchildren, so no children. Max passed away aged 65, with throat cancer. Max had been living in Cooktown Hospital for two years, with a brain as sharp as a razor, but unable to speak, only write. I hadn’t heard from him for about five years, then he rang me (communicating via the nurse reading his written words), saying he wanted to end his life, he couldn’t bear living any further. I told him the only way he could do this is refuse liquid and food. I told him it would require a lot of courage. The following day I received a call from his doctor and we chatted. Five days later, Max passed away.
Janet had six children, then left her husband and disappeared for nineteen years. She was eventually tracked down by my eldest sister, Patricia. Patricia was not sent to Fairbridge as she had already left school and was working as a telephonist at the London Telephone Exchange when all other siblings were sent. She had two boys, Roger and Stephen and then migrated to Australia when she was approximately thirty years of age, moved to WA and we both lived in Perth from the late 1970s onwards. She went on to have one son, Andrew and one daughter, Cassandra, who lives in Melbourne now and is in Perth as I write and hoping to return this weekend. Patricia passed away in 2009 from COPD and Janet passed away shortly after, also from COPD.
I married early and had two daughters. The youngest passed away at three months due to cot death. I’ve never got over it. I had one son, Roger, six years after Michelle.
Out of seven at Fairbridge, only Peter and I remain. I had stage four bowel cancer. I survived the operation which was performed only because I’d never smoked (you may survive the op but you do not recover from chemo if you’ve been a smoker).
No one can live a life devoid of fun and laugher. I never thought of or ever lived my life as a victim. That’s not who I am. There were Sundays at the creek, baking potatoes and swimming. And wonderful Christmas days and a memory forever of Mrs Woods taking the girl guides out at night each week to look and identify each star and star clusters.
I will say goodbye to you and hope that the rest of your lives is going through and being able to complete your “bucket lists”.
Yours,Carole Osborne (nee Wilcox)
MIKE WALKERThis is a letter from seventeen year-old Mike Walker addressed to Mr Phillips the After Care Officer at Fairbridge. It tells of working conditions on a Shorthorn cattle and sheep station at Gulargambone near the Warrumbungle Range between Dubbo and Coonamble.
Note that even the weekends had to be worked. “Luckily” I had every second Saturday and Sunday afternoon off.
I remember going into town with other workers one night. They went to the local club – I went to the outdoor cinema. In the middle of the film I heard a loud voice call out from the back, “Are you there Mike Walker? It’s time to go home!” So much for recreation!
I lasted six months at this job.
Gulargambone.Jan’ 61
Dear Mr Phillips,
I hope that this letter finds you in good health and good fortune.
I arrived safely and as soon as I got here (after unpacking) started work. Below is a roster:
Weekdays: Rising 6am. (Milk cows) 2BreakfastClean Bull Pens take away old straw, fill Shed with Straw for next day.10am SmokoOdd jobs till dinner.Dinner
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Odd jobs, example: (grooming bulls etc.)3pm SmokoBring cowsFeeding Bulls, calves6pm. Knock off.
SatAs usual till dinner. Then washing (with washing machine)Clean out cottage3pm cowsBulls feeding etc
SunUsual till 10am.3pm Cows, Bulls etc.
Every 2nd week-end I have Sat. and Sun. afternoons off.
Even after Easter the bulls will still have to be cleaned mornings (Pens) etc. (Stud Groom feeds them in the mornings) and fed at night. So after Easter I will work till smoko with Stud Groom then work with Overseer till 5pm when it’s feeding time. However, after Easter there will be less Bulls in the pens.
Every Friday Night we go to Gulargambone for stores then Cliff and Peter (Overseer and Stud Groom in that order) go to Bowling Club till 10-11. Then home. Rising as usual.
The cottage comprises the following electrical appliances: electric fry-pan, refrigerator, stove, automatic switch off jug, toaster, hot water system, washing machine. Each of us have a Bedside lamp as well as ceiling light. Also fluorescent lights in kitchen and living room. The clothes line is a “Hill’s Hoist”. As you can see, we are very up to date. Cliff has 2 radios. (Battery)There are 7 working men (including me), the Manager (Bill Campbell), the overseer (Cliff Turner), 2 station hands (Johnny Morgan and Ron Gyler), Stud Groom (Peter Rowland), the gardener (Claude). He’s an aboriginal, and myself. The Boss (Arthur Cambell) is often away from the place, leaving his son (the manager) in charge).
At dinner (12) time we come in, get everything ready, eat, wash-up, then sit down for about 5 – 10 minutes then we are at it again. Dinner usually takes about ½ to ¾ hr. I can tell you straight, that life here has no moderate pace except Sunday afternoon and in the evenings.
We are paid monthly here. I am getting £9/9/6 per week and between 2, 3 and 4 pounds goes to make up the food bill and in time to come, the electric light bill.
You did say that if possible you would come up this way and call in to see me. If you possibly can, please do. Also if possible bring Jimmy (Me bruvver).
Yours faithfully,Michael Walker
P.S. I bet that the first thing you say to your wife is, “Renee, come and look at his shocking writing!” (I am used to such praise at my exclusive eye capturing inimitable etc. style.)
Please give my regards to Jimmy and the Goldsborough louts! (Most important Mrs Mac. Please tell her that I called to say goodbye to her, but she was at church.)
Michael Walker
MAUREEN NOVIS(I first started reading this and was reading fast until I reached the third sentence. I stopped and started over, reading slower and thinking about every word. This is very thought provoking. Makes you stop and think. Read slowly! – Derek Moriarty)
And Then It Is WinterYou know … time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years, it seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.
But, here it is … The winter of my life and it catches me by surprise… How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.
But, here it is … my friends are retired and getting grey … they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse
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shape than me … but … I see the great change. Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant … but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day and taking a nap is not a treat anymore … it’s mandatory! ‘Cause if I don’t on my own free will … I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so … now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did! But, at least I know that though the winter has come and I’m not sure how long it will last … this I do know, that when it’s over on this earth … it’s over. A new adventure will begin!
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done … things I should have done, but indeed there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime.
So, if you’re not in your winter yet … let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life … so, live for today and say all the things you want your loved ones to remember … and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!
“Life” is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.
LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY! HAVE A GREAT DAY! Remember, “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver”. LIVE HAPPY. LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING: “TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU’VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU’LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.”
Going out is good. Coming home is better!
You forget names … but it’s okay because other people forgot they even knew you!!!
You realise you’re never going to be really good at anything … especially golf.
The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don’t care to do them anymore.
You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It’s called “pre-sleep”.
You miss the days when everything worked with just an “on” and “off” switch.
You tend to use more four letter words … “what” … “when” …???
Now that you can afford expensive jewellery, you don’t go anywhere to wear it.
You notice everything they sell in stores is “sleeveless”?!!!
What used to be freckles are now liver spots and it seems everybody whispers.
You have three sizes of clothes in your closet … two of which you will never wear.
BUT old is good in some things. Old songs, old movies and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!
Stay well, “OLD FRIEND”! It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.
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VALE
It is with deep regret that we record the passing of:
Paul Ellis, late of Dapto NSW. Paul passed away on the 10th May, 2021 following a long period of poor health. He arrived aboard the SS Otranto on the 30 th June,
1954, aged nine years.
Peter Bennett, late of Taren Point NSW. Peter passed away on the 28th May, 2021. He arrived aboard the SS Aorangi, arriving on the 15th August, 1940, aged six years,
having travelled via Canada due to the Second World War. Peter was a Life Member of the OFA and was the longest serving committee member of the
organisation.
Royston ‘Roy’ Ryan, late of Orange NSW. Roy passed away on the 8th June, 2021 following a long period of poor health. He arrived aboard the SS Strathmore,
arriving on the 30th August, 1957, aged fifteen years.
Our sincere condolences have been extended to their families and friends.
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Fairbridge Children's Park wins National Trust Heritage Award
AWARD WINNERS: David and Dudley Hill accept Fairbridge Children's Park's National Trust Heritage Award on Thursday, from National Trust president Neil Wykes OAM. Photo: NATIONAL TRUST
The Old Fairbridgians' Association is celebrating an 'absolute triumph' after the Fairbridge Children's Park was revealed among the National Trust Heritage Award winners, being crowned in the Education and Interpretation category. David and Dudley Hill accepted the award on behalf of the Old Fairbridgians' Association at Thursday's ceremony at Dolton House in Sydney, the latter saying the success 'makes all the hard work worth it'. He went on to label the victory 'a real David versus Goliath story' considering projects entered by the Sydney Opera House, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Sydney Living Museum were among the category's shortlist.
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“We were up against some real heavy-hitters in that category so we are very excited about the award. We're incredibly proud of what we've been able to achieve," Mr Hill said. "We were up against some real heavy-hitters in that category so we are very excited about the award. Stoked is a very good way to put it. We simply cannot over-emphasise how grateful we are to all of our close friends in Orange, Molong, and the Central West and beyond who supported us”.
Clouston Associates nominated Fairbridge Children's Park for the 2021 National Trust Heritage Awards, with leading architect Leonard Lynch and Aaron Driver both on hand at Thursday's ceremony too. Mr Hill thanked Clouston Associates specifically, with the initial design work for the park undertaken as a pro-bono project as the Old Fairbridgians' Association sought to preserve the history of the farm.
Almost 1,000 poor British children were sent to Australia without their parents between 1938 and 1974 to live and work at Fairbridge Farm, near Molong, where they were met with a tough and sometimes abusive upbringing.
Below the decaying village, the park now conveys Fairbridge's history through landscape spaces, artefacts and new art installations. Clouston Associates calls it 'an antidote to the hardship and isolation of former residents'.
The $1.5 million project was opened in March of 2020, followed by the construction of a war memorial to the 95 Fairbridgians who joined the armed services which was opened earlier this year. "We were acutely aware the only way to preserve the legacy of the 1,000 or so children who passed through Fairbridge Farm was to do something like we've done, so we are incredibly proud”, Mr Hill said.
Once again thanking all those involved, Mr Hill mentioned a few 'leading lights' in Orange mayor Reg Kidd, Cabonne mayor Kevin Beatty, NSW deputy premier John Barilaro, Wade Marlow and Doctor Des Mulcahy. "We cannot emphasise how grateful we are to everyone who supported the project," he said.
The National Trust Heritage Awards are in their 27th year and recognise projects, initiatives and individuals that demonstrate excellence in the conservation, protection, and interpretation of Aboriginal, built, natural and cultural heritage. The restoration of the Cathedral of St Michael and St John in Bathurst also won an award in the Conservation: Built Heritage category. Orange Regional Museum's 'Inherit: Old and New Histories' was also shortlisted in the Heritage Events, Exhibitions and Tours section.(Extract from article in the Western Daily News)
CABONNE COUNCIL
THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
19 May 2021
Dudley Hill Public Officer Old Fairbridgians Association - Molong lncorporated
Dear Dudley Fairbridge Children's Park
On behalf of Cabonne Council I wish to congratulate you and your team on the achievement of being awarded the 2021 National Trust Heritage Award - Education and lnterpretation section. This is well deserved recognition of the hard work and dedication that you all have put into the formation of the Fairbridge Children's Park project in Molong. You have created a beautiful and lasting tribute to the Fairbridge Children that can be enjoyed by people now and into the future. It must be a wonderful feeling to see your vision come to fruition and recognised at this level and Council has been proud to support you with the project over the last few years.
Best wishes,Clr Kevin Beatty MAYOR
