News Archives
Our Patron Judy Hannan MP visited us recently. Judy congratulated the volunteers on the successful NSW Government Community Building Partnership Grant we received for our Agricultural Shed. This grant will enable us to complete some much needed structural maintenance in the future.
Thanks for visiting Judy!
Book Launch
More than 70 guests, dignitaries and the family of the late Elizabeth Villy gathered to celebrate the launch of her completed published book ‘Children from the shadows……with hope for the future.’
It was an emotional day for all as the team of dedicated friends and museum members rallied together over the last 2 years since Betty’s passing to complete her wish for the book to be finished.
Thanks to many who helped this wish come true, especially Marlene, Trish, Steve and Jeff. Dignitaries included Martin Killion- Director, Collections and Director of State Records NSW who officially launched the book today. It was a testament to Betty on how many people turned out and what an amazing social history was told in the book of The Boarding-out system in NSW 1881- 1923. Descendants of these children were in attendance today.
What Scat and eDNA tells us about predator risk to wildlife
The Heritage Centre was a buzz with a fantastic school holiday activity over the Christmas break. We learnt about ‘What Scat and eDNA tells us about predator risk to wildlife.’
It was so interesting listening to Margot a Southern Highlands Koala Officer and Kazan Brown who both undertook a pilot research project by collecting more than 700 scats of all sorts! The results were amazing! Did you know it looks likely that foxes are climbing trees to get to Koalas. A lot of this work is done in our own backyard on tracks in the Burragorang Valley and Dharawal land.
Congratulations
Congratulations Doreen Lyon who today was awarded the 2024 Certificate of Achievement by the Royal Australian Historical Society for her contributions to The Oaks Historical Society and the Wollondilly Heritage Centre and Museum. We applaud and appreciate all that you do and have done for all the volunteers here and the museum is truly a result of all your efforts over many years. Thank you!
Congratulations
The History Council NSW Annual History Awards were announced at a ceremony in the Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney in front of more than 85 members and guests who helped to celebrate the winner’s achievements.
The winning entries took us on a journey through time, delving into the captivating stories and rich cultural heritage of New South Wales. There was a very strong and diverse field of applications for the Awards this year, and the judges issued not only awards in every category, but in some cases, also Commendations. Emerging historians’ work featured strongly this year.
The First Nations History Award is sponsored by Professor David Carment & Dr Stephen Gapps. The winner of the 2024 First Nations History Award is Kazan Brown for her Submission on Warramgamba Dam and associated artworks.
This award is for Kazan Brown for her Submission into the raising of the Warragamba Dam Wall and her beautiful associated artworks. Faced with the threat that the Warragamba Dam wall would be raised and precious Gundungurra sites inundated, Kazan went deep into her family history and demonstrated her family’s unbroken connection with the Burragorang Valley, mobilising archaeological and environmental reports to support her claims.
This is an outstanding piece of work from Kazan Brown and her community that shows the vitality of Gundungurra knowledge and culture. The Creation Story of Wollondilly and the important stories of Gurangatch and Mirragan and the White Waratah have guided Kazan Brown through her successful advocacy to protect the Aboriginal heritage around Lake Burragorang. This is Aboriginal history brought into the public sphere for powerful purpose and the judges congratulate Kazan on her work.
We congratulate you again, Kazan on your great work!
New Exhibitions
The publication and exhibition at the Centre covers local farmers recounting their experiences of milking their first cow at age 5 over 80 years ago, to researching milking techniques across 20 countries, not only sharing but also adopting many techniques in farming ingenuity, highlighting the extraordinary journey of dairy farming in our region.
The permanent exhibition traces the evolution of dairying from hand milking to mechanised milking, horse and cart deliveries in the 1880s to the introduction of bulk collection and refrigeration advances. Many descendants of these dairy farming pioneers still reside in the Wollondilly community today. There were reported to be 111 dairy farms in the Wollondilly area by 1959 and It’s great to have the history captured for future generations and to reminisce about days gone by.
A heartfelt congratulations to the centre volunteer team who curated this remarkable book and exhibition, now available at the Wollondilly Heritage Centre and Museum. Enjoying a cup of tea, afternoon slices, cream and scones and Milkshakes together was a great pleasure!
The centre held a "history week 2024" school student competition in recent months. The winners were announced at the book launch event. Congratulations to Matilda and Harriet for their winning entries, "Marking Time", which included stories and illustrations about Daisy, the dairy cow.
Be sure to spot the Mural by sign-writer and artist David Campbell when you are visiting the centre and exhibition.
Visit the centre to buy your copy of the book "Dairying in Wollondilly".
