The attendance at our April meeting again showed the community’s interest in the rare places within our district. Vern Sotter, with some of the volunteers from Friends of Fagan Park, gave us an insight into farming of the mid-to-late nineteenth century by reading reports and correspondence about the Fagan family and their properties.
Fagan Park has become a paradise for the people of Sydney and lives up to the expectations of Mr Bruce Fagan and his sisters when they donated the property for the enjoyment and education of the people of New South Wales. With ANZAC day so close the story of the life and death of Leslie Fagan, killed in World War1, was a poignant inclusion.
Following the success of the March open day at History Cottage, beside the Cenotaph and Hayes Park, it has been decided to open monthly. This will be on the 4th Sunday of each month, 1-4 pm, with the first opening being Sunday the 29th April. The open door in March was certainly an attraction to Sunday afternoon tourists and the Society looks forward to playing its part in introducing others to the special nature of our district.
Because Ausgrid must disconnect its service to the Uniting Church on our usual meeting day in May we have postponed our meeting. Carolyn Broadhead will now give her planned talk on her French connection on Saturday 12th July. This story looks at Australian history on several levels: a local soldier and his love of a French girl, French refugees with special skills coming to the colony and a surprising outcome.
For our 14th June meeting, Rod Best will return to speak about another of his areas of interest.
Our free and open meetings are held in the Galston Uniting Church, School Road, Galston starting at 2 pm. A gold coin donation for afternoon tea. Inquiries to Michael Bell, 02 9653 1365.
