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The Society meets for a General meeting on every second month on the third Sunday 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.
Visitors and Members are very welcome to attend either or both.

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 & Peter Troode 63722783.
Or PO Box 148 St Mary’s 7215
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Membership
Single
$10-00
Family
$15-00

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News paper Trivia from the Examiner 31st Oct 1936

The Council Chambers and Offices at Fingal were erected in 1882, but the building was destroyed by fire on June 23rd 1929-only 3 months after the big floods caused considerable damage to the town. All records were lost. The Council Chambers were remodelled and enlarged and were again occupied in 1930.
Large pastoral properties surround Fingal and Avoca. Some of the biggest of these properties are Benham (25000acres) Malahide (18000 acres) Ormley, Tullochgorum, Bona vista, Brookstead, Frodsley, Cullenswood, Killymoon, Strathspey, and Evercreech, the home of the warden J E McKenzie the council clerk is Mr. M R D’Emden. Some idea of the size of these properties can be gained when it is pointed out that the traveler along the road from Llewellyn the western boundary of the municipality and Fingal passes through only five or six estates during his 26 mile journey.
In the early days of the district the police were controlled by the Municipal Council, and about 60years ago (1876) Fingal alone had four police officers, Superintendent John Smith, a detective a constable and a trooper. Nowadays there is only one trooper stationed at Fingal, with a sergeant at St Mary’s.
Of course in the very early days the Rural police system extended to the Fingal District.

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21st August 2011
Dear members & friends,
My Presidents Report for 2010/2011.

Here we are again and I don’t know where the year has gone, but when one looks back we have achieved a fair amount of what we are about, (Collation & Preservation) of the History of our district.
This has been done by having meetings bi monthly, with walks of interest on alternate months.
Walks were to the Delmayne Mine after the first attempt was cancelled; The old workings at The Cornwall coal mine.
A walk from Irishtown to Fourmile Creek.
And back to the Old Mt Nicholas Coal mining township. All of which attracted a good attendance and a lot of interest.
The greatest achievement was the production of the book “Convicts Of the Valley” collated by Darlene and a bit of backing from Jim, and a lot of hours (excess of 1000) by Lois & Barry to research the convict names so as Darlene could get them into her book, Thankfully the book has had a successful launch, in conjunction with Greater Esk Tourism cocktail party, I must thank Peter Troude and his committee for allowing this to happen.
The book is on sale for $20-00 and selling very well.
I would have liked to have been able to report on our position with the Railway precinct, But as it is yet to be sorted out, we are a bit in the dark, except for the fact that St Patrick’s Head & Esk Valley society are hoping to still be associated with the Cranks and Tinkerer’s in their building, This would be more viable with regard to the Volunteers available in the immediate area.
I would like to see a photo display of the Railway history placed in the Old Railway Building. I’m just a bit put out that Councilor Johns couldn’t consult with the President and members before convincing Council to purchase this building. But we all do things differently.
Another project I would like the group to complete is a Memorial park at the Top of St Mary’s Pass displaying the names of all the convicts who worked on the Pass 1842 till 1849.
I would like to thank all our members, and those who join us on walks, for making our society a very good group to participate in.
Here’s hoping we have another great year ahead.
Barry Aulich President
PS, History walks / tours will resume in November, Henry Biggelaar has volunteered to help with leading these walks/Tours, Keep an eye out for the notice as to where they will be to. B,A

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More Newspaper Trivia Examiner 31 st Oct 1936.
Seventy Years ago (1866) Fingal had three hotels and the proprietors of two of these establishments conducted their own breweries. At that time there were three stores, one of the first being run by the late Robert Carter. All provisions were brought from Launceston by wagon over the same road that is used to-day (1936) One who remembers much of these early days is Councilor Frederick Williams, who has been in the council for 35 years he was a councilor before the inception of local government. Mr. Williams recalls driving in a wagon from Fingal to Hobart Town long years ago, when there were only tracks and, of course no trains.
BENLOMOND towering 5160 feet above sea level is the highest mountain in Tasmania and from it and its associate mountains rises the South and north Esk rivers and other streams. For Eight months of the year it is capped with snow up to 30feet in depth, this high spot is the playground and meeting place of Northern Skiers.
Although this beautiful district with it’s placid streams, high mountains lush green marshes and estates around which tall stately poplars form striking backgrounds to homes, has everything to attract the visitor, there is only one tourist or progress association in the municipality, and this is at Rossarden a mining town some miles from the main road.
Cornwall purely a mining town has a parents and Citizens association, which works for the progress of the town.
Mrs. F Oliver who at 88 years tells of her experience of meeting up with a murderer named Haley. Haley had murdered a man named Wilson and broke his gun over Wilson’s wife’s head, but he had spoken to her so nicely she doubted that he could have done it. But while Haley was awaiting execution he wrote of his experiences, and also confessed to another murder.

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The Historical Society have been busy answering queries regarding family history, some of whom used to live in the area and some that we don’t have anything that we can pass on, But we are sometimes able to direct people to the respective Genealogy sites so as they can spend time researching what they are trying to find.
As most people would know by now “The Break O’Day council have purchased the old railway building, and now they seem to be rightfully looking at it as a tourism Precinct, and have had a meeting with interested parties, to determine what is going to happen with it. We have indicated that we would place a photo display of the old railway “history” in the building, but we will have our museum display in conjunction with the Crank’s & Tinkerers in their building.
We have now published the Book Convicts of the Fingal Valley, and it is selling very well. The Convict memorial park for the Convicts who worked on the St Mary’s Pass is on hold at the moment, waiting for a firm decision as to what happens about the railway precinct at St Mary’s, this could determine where it would be best placed. Might be better in the Railway precinct.

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Society Meetings are held on the third Sunday of every second month. The next will be on Sunday the 16th October 2011 at 2:30 pm in the
St Marys Online Access Centre, 23b Main St, St Marys.
Field trips are held on alterative months or when advertised in the Valley Voice and website.

Any one is welcome to come along on these trips / ventures you don’t have to be a member, but you may feel that you would like to become a member after you experience the casual atmosphere of our group.
Even meetings we try to keep as casual as possible without getting too much out of hand.
For the history walks you need to bring along good footwear, your lunch and drinks for the day, and suitable clothing, at your discretion when you decide what the weather is going to be on the day.

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The Bush can be Paradise one minute-
next it is trying to kill you.
That’s the challenge and that’s why we love it.
If you’ve got something to say, say it.
Say it straight and say it clear-
And make sure nothings in the way of you and the back door.
When you go outside always make sure the fly wire screen door
is open.
Or you could strain yourself.

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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

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