Our first meeting of the year was well attended and it was pleasing that reports on completion of a number of projects were received. A small committee was formed to attend and man an information stall to be held at the Gilgandra Seniors Luncheon and Expo organised by Gilgandra Shire Library.
Work to repair and paint three of our Heritage buildings was completed under Council’s Local Heritage Fund Project. This essential work was undertaken by local Contractors Paint ‘n’ Plus. The Society appreciates that Council makes available grants for this type of work. Half the cost of work paid under this scheme reimbursed by Council.
Unfortunately our grant application to M&GNSW to purchase a display cabinet for the Allan Wise Gallery was unsuccessful, however the Society will acquire this from its own funds. A recent donation of a covered butter dish is on display in this Gallery.
It is very special, as on its lid is a picture of early Miller Street, Gilgandra. This matches similar china donated to the Society by the late John & Margaret McGrath many years ago, so it is a very welcome donation.
Also on display in this Gallery is ‘The Call to Arms’ certificate presented to E.J. Hanson by the Council and Citizens of the Shire of Gilgandra NSW in appreciation of service undertaken during WW2 (1939-1945).
This has been in the Society’s possession for many years with little being known of Private E.J. Hanson. Recently Phil Newman, contacted the CHC enquiring about the Certificate which he had found in a house he purchased in Sydney a number of years ago.
He had given the Certificate to a military museum in Fairfield, who, upon his enquiry, told him they had sent it to Gilgandra. All this some 40 years ago! With some research we now know that E.J. was Errol Joseph Hanson, Private with the 2/13 Australian Infantry Battalion, Service No. 444558.
He owned a home in Fairfield after the War and it is understood worked for the Railways Department, however his connection with Gilgandra is still a mystery! If anyone has any clues, the Society would be very grateful for any information.
On a more practical note Neil Cooper, who undertakes much work on the Museum grounds, was given approval to purchase a new whipper snipper. He has been using his own machine as the old one had given up!
The Society covers a wide variety of topics, so any member of the public is always welcome to join us for an interesting time.
