On Saturday 9th November 2024 members, past members, family & friends gathered at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Kelso to celebrate 40 years since Bathurst Family History Group was established.
It was quite remarkable that 40 years later there were seven foundation members in attendance. Carol Churches (the Group’s founder), cutting the anniversary cake with Nola Foster, Ellen Sutton, John Sutton, Anne Huges, Chris Stewart and Bill Deeley.
It was also wonderful that nine of our Life Members, who have done so much for the Group over the years, were present: Marie Larnach, Anne Huges, Joy Richens, Carol Churches, Mary Fletcher, Chris Stewart, Bill Deeley, Graeme Hill and Dianne Barnes.
The day was celebrated with all the hallmarks of the Group: friendliness, delicious and plentiful food, guest speakers, sale of donated books, free magazines and a trivia quiz compiled by Chris Stewart to test local knowledge.
Kerima-Gae Topp presented a fascinating talk on cemeteries- the symbolism, unusual words and mistakes on tombstones and some stories behind gravestones. We “toured” historic Parramatta Cemeteries; travelled to Scotland and Norfolk Island and then back to local Long Swamp Cemetery before learning the story of Melbourne’s “Taj Mahal”, an elaborate Victorian era memorial.
Local historian, Jeff McSpedden recounted the story of Bathurst’s public hospital from its 1820s beginning to provide medical attention for convicts, soldiers and early settlers. This hospital was located on the corner of Bentinck and Howick Streets. With the cessation of convict transportation, the hospital was discontinued, and the buildings were handed to Trustees in 1842 as Bathurst District Hospital. The new hospital at the top of Howick Street, the result of extensive community efforts was officially opened on 9 November 1880 and continued to be developed over the years until the 1990s redevelopment of the site.