How fortunate we are to have, within our community, a person who has intimate knowledge of the history of the establishment of the war memorial at Hell Fire Pass on the Thai Burma railway.
While working in Thailand, Ken Bradley, our guest speaker, was able to draw together much valuable information on the location of events, personal recollections and rare photographs associated with the construction of the railway during World War Two.
This resulted in the unveiling of the memorial now so significant to Australia. The audience at the well attended meeting was enthralled by the material presented. It is a valuable resource for research, which Ken hopes to present the Australian War Memorial.
Currently the Society library is being reviewed and it is expected there will be books of historical content that may be of interest to readers; a list of some will be published. Copies of the Dural Roundup and Glenorie, Galston and Hills Rural are now on line at the State Library of New South Wales.
These can be opened quite easily while earlier editions are not yet available in this way. The Society guest for the 11th May will be Judith Dunn OAM. Judith is a widely respected author, historian and guide; she is also a most entertaining speaker.
She will tell the stories of some of the 25,000 convict women transported to the colonies between 1788 and 1868. Their crimes, the society in which they lived and how they overcame the many obstacles they met, make for an interesting afternoon.
The Government facilities, such of the Female Factory and the Orphanage, played an important role for many families and they are of special interest to their descendants. A tour of Parramatta by Society members and friends later in May, will be visit these.
For an entertaining, informative and uplifting read on the subject of Female Convicts and how they coped, it is worthwhile reading “The Floating Brothel” by Sian Rees. It is the story of the convict transport ship Lady Julian bringing 237 women to the Colony in 1789. The humanity and pragmatism shown is a message to those who might think only the worst.
This ANZAC day dawn service will be held at the Cenotaph commencing at 6.30 as usual the Society will provide seating and facilities.
NEXT MEETING: 11th May in the Galston Uniting Church, School Road, Galston starting at 2.00pm. Entry free. Gold coin for afternoon tea at the conclusion of the meeting. Enquiries to Michael Bell 02 9653 1365.
