http://cwl.nsw.gov.au/localStudies/index.cfm This blog is a place to discuss issues about the history of Orange; Blayney; Cabonne - Canowindra, Molong and Manildra; Forbes and Cowra. It also is a place to learn about the activities of the Orange Family History Group and to ask questions of our experts. en-us Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:03:23 +1100 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:45:00 +1100 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss library@orange.nsw.gov.au library@orange.nsw.gov.au http://cwl.nsw.gov.au/localStudies/index.cfm/2009/9/21/Spraying-and-Spray-Carts-Topic-at-Orchard-Meeting Spraying and spray carts will be the subject of Orange and District Historical Society's next meeting in its popular fruit growing history series at the Gladstone Hotel on Tuesday, September 22 at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Pests have been a problem in orchards from the earliest days and spraying has been a major task for Orange district orchardists for more than 100 years. Spraying was initially carried out by hand-pumps and later motor-driven pumps were introduced using hand wands. Spray pumps were for many years horse-drawn, then merged into tractor-drawn in the 1950s. Booms and air-blast sprayers became the norm in the 1960s and 1970s until the present day. There have been a number of weird and wonderful variations of all of these machines and there is no-one better to tell us the story than Eddie Wilson, of Forest Reefs, who has experimented with many types of sprayers. Eddie won a Land Inventor of the Year award at the Australian National Field Days with a self-propelled, fully enclosed front mounted sprayer, which was developed for commercial production by his brother Don, the latest model of which was rolled out only last year. A number of other "old hands" will be in the audience to add their stories. The meeting takes place at the Gladstone Hotel function room at 7 for 7.30pm. There is a small charge of $3 for members of Orange and District Historical Society and $5 for non-members, to cover costs. Light refreshments will be served. If you have any inquiries or would like to attend the meeting, please RSVP to Phil Stevenson on 6362-3257, mobile 0402 412 188 or email ibiswines@bigpond.com Orange and District Historical Society Orcharding Local History Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:45:00 +1100 http://cwl.nsw.gov.au/localStudies/index.cfm/2009/9/21/Spraying-and-Spray-Carts-Topic-at-Orchard-Meeting http://cwl.nsw.gov.au/localStudies/index.cfm/2009/7/27/Transporting-the-Goods Transport has always been a big feature of the fruit growing industry. From the sack over the shoulder to the horse and cart, primitive trucks and the huge spotless B Doubles of today, transporting fruit to stores or rail or direct to market has always involved many colourful characters. Orange and District Historical Society's next orchard history meeting, to take place on Tuesday July 28 will explore the many facets of fruit transport. Guest speaker will be George White, who began trucking in the 1940s, when there were many horses and carts involved in short haul transport from orchards to town for rail or cool stores delivery. The trucks George and contemporaries used were either army surplus or, if they were lucky, post-war release vehicles which were small, slow, uncomfortable and thirsty. Nonetheless they persisted and took large loads regularly to Sydney, putting up with bad roads, resistance from the rail unions, unbelievable paperwork and regulations, and laborious manhandling of millions of cases of fruit. Over the years bulk handling came in, roads and trucks improved vastly and many of the pioneers developed their own substantial companies devoted to long-haul fruit transport. With a vivid memory and some classic photographs, George will give the audience the benefit of his experience with transport in the fruit industry and the people involved in it. Several of his contemporaries will be in the audience to keep him honest and contribute to the discussion. The meeting will take place at the Gladstone Hotel Function Room at 7 for 7.30pm on Tuesday 28th July. There is a small charge of $3 for ODHS members and $5 for non members. Light refreshments will be served. If you have any enquiries or would like to attend the meeting please RSVP to Phil Stevenson on 63623257, 0402412188 or email ibiswines@bigpond.com. Orcharding Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:39:00 +1100 http://cwl.nsw.gov.au/localStudies/index.cfm/2009/7/27/Transporting-the-Goods http://cwl.nsw.gov.au/localStudies/index.cfm/2008/11/24/Orcahrds-to-the-East-of-Orange The early orchards to the east of Orange will be the focus of the next orchard evening organised by Orange and District Historical Society.Guest speakers at the meeting, to be held at Gladstone Hotel on Tuesday, November 25, will be Rob Williams and Sue Milne. Sue is the daughter of John Milne, whose family, together with the related Spurway family, had orchards in the Glenroi and Bloomfield areas and east of Lone Pine Avenue. Rob Williams' family had orchards along Steele's Lane, Malabar and Dairy Creek Road and still has one in the area. The speakers will mention these as well as orchards further east at Lucknow, Shadforth, Guyong and Byng. Through these public meetings and other activities, the society aims to preserve the history of the fruit growing industry. The meetings have all been recorded and when time and manpower permits, they will be transcribed, edited and published. The society is now in a position to photograph or scan archives that people may have. It only requires copies and the originals will be returned to their owners. Anyone is welcome to attend the meeting and there will be a chance to ask questions.Entry is free but a donation would be appreciated to help continue the society's valuable work in preserving the history of Orange and district.The Society's president, Phil Stevenson, says he hopes the meetings will trigger more research, collection of memoirs, photos and memorabilia. The meeting will be held at 7 for 7.30pm in the Gladstone's function room. Light refreshments will be served. If you have any inquiries or would like to attend the meeting, please RSVP to Phil Stevenson on 6362-3257, mobile 0402 412 188 or email ibiswines@bigpond.com Orange and District Historical Society Orcharding Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:15:00 +1100 http://cwl.nsw.gov.au/localStudies/index.cfm/2008/11/24/Orcahrds-to-the-East-of-Orange