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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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