The Society meets for a General meeting on every second month on the
third Wednsday of that month.
While on alternate months we have a field day to some prominent spot
of interest in the Fingal Valley and neighbouring areas.
This is usually on the third Sunday of the month
Visitors and members are very welcome to attend either or both meetings
President Barry Aulich/ 63725752
Vice Pres Darlene Wright
Secretary Lois Hayes
Treasurer Jim Haas 63 722127
News Editor Barry Aulich
Public Officer Jim Haas
Publicity / Jim Haas 63722127
Or PO Box 148 St Mary’s 7215
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Membership
Single
$10-00
Family
$15-00
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Society News
Members of the Society have still been very busy answering
people about their Ancestry questions, they have been from all parts,
near and far, so this proves that our Website is working well, Problem
is some people think that we have every detail sitting on our fingertips,
but this is not always the case. We do our best to direct them to the
necessary places to find what they are looking for, if we don’t
have it at hand. ?It all makes life very interesting, and like they
say you’re never too old to learn. ? We are planning some more
interesting walk’s even some repeat walks could be in place as
we have a very changing population and as the Falmouth walk a lot of
interested people attended, Just keep an eye on the website and the
Valley Voice for the next walk, which are held Bi-Monthly. ?/Darlene’s
Convict book has been selling very well, we have had another print done,
so if you have any friends wanting a copy some are available.
Jim’s Book “A Little bit of Heritage” is out and selling
like a house on fire, so if any one wants a copy please let us know.
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FALMOUTH WALK
WITH TIM McMANUS
A very enjoyable and informative walk was held at Falmouth on the 17th
June, where Tim was in his best form explaining the history of Falmouth
and near by Mariposa, which is not open top the public, this is a pity
as Mariposa was really the hub of the settlement of the Falmouth area,
with several of the main arteries based there, Like it had the port,
although it was fairly rudementery, and cargo had to be off-Loaded into
dingies and brought ashore, The Gates at Killymoon, that stand beside
the Esk Main Road were brought ashore at Mariposa, by dingy.
It was great on the day to have so many young ones attending and asking
Tim some very interesting questions, and of course getting very good
answers.

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FINGAL WALK
WITH HENRY BIGGELAAR
I was unable to attend this walk, but have been told by those who attended
that it was quite informative. Fingal, for the size of the Town has
an immense amount of historical buildings still intact, and in reasonable
order.
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St Patrick’s Head & Esk Valley
Inc
Field Day to Rossarden and Gipps Creek
On Sunday the 16th September
A great day was had at Rossarden and Gipps Creek.
With Henry our Leader and Mary & Brad our guides.
We gathered at the Rossarden Museum, and had a look at this marvelous
achievement for a small community.
Then Mary explained where we were going for the day.
Next was the Rossarden falls not so easy for the faint hearted, of which
I was one of the latter.
Then we had lunch at the Gipps Creek turn off, then on to the remains
of a Dam that was used for the water to the mines, but in the 1929 floods
two dams burst their banks, contributing to the flooding of Launceston,
Some details of those dams are attached.
We then went along to an area near Batman’s Lookout where he could
visually survey the area, and then some walked to the old Gipps Creek
Town or where it was, and some went to an old mine to have a look in
that.
SNIPPET FROM THE MERCURY 13TH DEC 1905 GIPPS CREEK TIN MINE
The capitol of the mine is to be 6000 pounds in shares of 1 pound each
all fully paid up. Three thousand shares are now offered to the public
at 1 pound each payment to be made as follows – 10 shillings per
share cash at time of application, and 10 shillings per share by promissory
note due in three months. No shares in the company will be issued until
such time as all promissory notes have been retired; Three thousand
shares are to remain the property of the vendors.
The company is being formed to acquire and work several sections, totaling
160 acres, at Gipps Creek, near Benlomond, inclusive of 25 acres dam
site and 16 sluice- heads of water, all reports speak very highly of
the ground and estimated cost of putting the mine in working order is
1300 pounds.
THE EXAMINER WED 1ST AUG 1906 The first half yearly meeting of the company
shareholders was held yesterday Mr J C MacMichael presided, The directors
report stated that during the period under review all necessary rights
for the company had been secured, together with internal sections required
and the opening of the mine had been completed by constructing a tailrace,
head race and Dam wall of which have been carried out satisfactorily,
so that the mine can be worked to the best advantage, The cost of constructing
works were, Tail race 422 pounds, head race, 270 pounds building large
dam 535 pounds, The mine manager in his report gave all particulars
in regard to these and other matters. The Dam was constructed about
1 mile distant from the mine workings, on an extensive marsh on Gipps
Creek, This dam was also fed by a head race 123 chains long, with a
width of 3 feet from BenLomond Rivulet, The dam wall was earth construction,
Base 52ft wide top 18ft Height perpendicular 30ft length across 314ft.
At one time there were in excess of one thousand men working at Gipps
Creek Mines. A hotel; was erected between the dams and Stacks Bluff
at the base of BenLomond.



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Keep an eye on this site for the next field day scheduled for November.
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Disclaimer?You could find some errors in this publication.?This is in
keeping with my policy of trying to please everyone all of the time.?Even
those who look for mistakes. B Aulich, Editor SPH&EVHSInc
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