NEws
June/July 2010
Burke and Wills 150th Anniversary
Plans are now confirmed for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the farewell given to Supt. Robert O’Hara Burke by the citizens of Castlemaine. A small group of interested people (a good number being FOMAD members) have arranged to have a big ‘Do’ at the Theatre Royal on Friday 9th June (150 years exactly to the day).
Proceedings will commence at 6:30pm with a drink or two (all drinks at bar prices) before we sit down to eat some delectable finger food and light refreshments. This will be followed by the first bit of light entertainment for your extreme pleasure: a dramatisation of the actual speeches and proceedings of the original dinner. This has been expertly scripted by our own Robyn Annear and will feature many of this towns dignitaries in the starring roles. This alone will be a delight to behold.
Since all those present at the original dinner were men, all sporting many shapes and size of beard, we thought it would be nice if all attendeees at this anniversary night could also be seen to sport a nice beard - full flowing, goatee, mutton-chop or any other style. If you do not have one handy then don't worry, as we will be able to provide some on the night!!.
Following the presentation will be the screening of extracts from the 1970’s movie “Burke & Wills” starring Jack Thompson (some say that Jack himself might also put in an appearance!!) as well as other clips from previous movies made on the great expedition. Members of the Royal Society of Victoria will also be on hand to give an explanation of the various clips to be shown.
FOMAD has now filled our four tables, so if you have missed out and wish to attand you should go along to the Theatre Royal and see if there are any tickets left.
PS. A lot of attendees have said they intend to come in "period costume", so if you have the wherewithal then flaunt it
Since all those present at the original dinner were men, all sporting many shapes and size of beard, we thought it would be nice if all attendeees at this anniversary night could also be seen to sport a nice beard - full flowing, goatee, mutton-chop or any other style. If you do not have one handy then don't worry, as we will be able to provide some on the night!!.
Following the presentation will be the screening of extracts from the 1970’s movie “Burke & Wills” starring Jack Thompson (some say that Jack himself might also put in an appearance!!) as well as other clips from previous movies made on the great expedition. Members of the Royal Society of Victoria will also be on hand to give an explanation of the various clips to be shown.
FOMAD has now filled our four tables, so if you have missed out and wish to attand you should go along to the Theatre Royal and see if there are any tickets left.
PS. A lot of attendees have said they intend to come in "period costume", so if you have the wherewithal then flaunt it
Next Walk
The next walk will be on Sunday 25th July, to Red Hill. This is an area between the Fryerstown-Cambells Creek Road and the Fryerstown-Vaughan Road, near Chokem Flat. If you want some background on the Red Hill mines and sluicing operations before you go then download David's report from 1993. Red Hill Report This is in PDF format and will need Adode Reader - if you have not got it, you can download from adobe.com
Next Meeting
The next general meeting will be held on Monday 2nd August at Tutes Cottage starting at 7:30pm. The Annual General Meeting will be held in September on a date to be confirmed
Project completed
The video we made highlighting Kynan's art lessons in the Park has been completed and a copy of this with several copies of Snapshots has been forwarded to Heritage Victoria, who provided some of the funds for them. Another successful project completed.
Monster Meeting Developments
I have received the following in an email from John Ellis on behalf of the Monster Meeting Committee:
To celebrate what is now recognised as one of Australia's most significant steps towards democracy the Chewton Domain Society has, since 2003, been putting together a group to organise an annual celebration of the December 15th 1851 Monster Meeting. Three years before Ballarat's Eureka Stockade and two years before Bendigo's Red Ribbon Rebellion - the 14,000 strong Forest Creek Monster Meeting is well worth celebrating
To celebrate what is now recognised as one of Australia's most significant steps towards democracy the Chewton Domain Society has, since 2003, been putting together a group to organise an annual celebration of the December 15th 1851 Monster Meeting. Three years before Ballarat's Eureka Stockade and two years before Bendigo's Red Ribbon Rebellion - the 14,000 strong Forest Creek Monster Meeting is well worth celebrating
- In 2003 the celebration was held on the side of the Pyrenees Highway where a bush flagpole and plaque had been placed, and these were launched by MAS Mayor Cr. Jim Norris.
- During 2004 the site of the Monster Meeting (the old Shepherd's Hut) was identified so the 2004 celebration was held on site. After readings from the original speeches MAS Mayor Cr. Dave Gittus spoke on the development of democracy.
- The 2005 celebration saw the installation of two plaques on the site, and these were launched by Professor Weston Bate. The rock and plaques were organised and funded by the Ballarat Reform League (with assistance from the Vera Moore Foundation) as part of their Monuments Project marking significant goldfields uprising sites across Victoria.
- In 2006 Castlemaine Goldfields Ltd made a presence with a current diamond drilling rig, and Exploration Manager Wess Edgar gave an update of their work before members of the crowd were invited to give readings of speeches from the original meeting.
- In 2007 the Castlemaine Theatre Company added colour to the event, and Geoff Hocking, the author of many goldfields books, was the guest speaker. Minister of Police, Bob Cameron, was present as a representative of the Premier.
- A walk along the 6 km. Forest Creek Track from Castlemaine preceded the 2008 celebration. M.C. was Jan Wositzky, and guest speaker was local historian Marjorie Theobald who outlined her family connections to the goldfields and the area. Following this event the celebration moved to the Chewton Town Hall as that building was celebrating its 150th birthday! This was the biggest Monster Meeting celebration yet.
- In 2009 the extreme heat limited the numbers of walkers, but a large group was on site to hear guest speaker Heather Holst speak of the justice system as it operated in this area in the 1800s. Bernard Slattery was MC, and after readings from the speeches the crowd moved over to barbecue at the Red Hill Hotel.
- Each year has added something to the previous celebration – so what will 2010 bring?
- 2010 will bring a Song Writing Competition to provide a 5 month publicity generating lead up to the 2010 celebration on December 15th! Essentially it's for the best song about, or based on, the story of the Monster Meeting, entrants must live in the Central Goldfields area of Central Victoria, the song can be in any musical style, there are 3 prizes ($1,000, $500, $250) and the event is to launched launched in mid-July
Things are now moving quickly - we have a sponsorship offer from Castlemaine Goldfields Ltd. as well as Parks Victoria so approximately half of our projected budget is already covered. David Stretch has made a terrific offer of the Theatre Royal in support of this, and Green Graphics has also supported us with a great website offer. A summary is attached - but basically the key milestones are:
- Planning meeting June 22nd Chewton Town Hall at 2 p.m. - final arrangements and decisions (esp launch date finalisation).
- Website www.monstermeeting.net to be complete and on line by the launch date (Green Graphics have this underway - an interim page is in place already)
- Launch in mid-July (by the 15th) at the Red Hill Hotel - over a lunch period. Media invitations out by the end of July.
- Competition publicity to continue until the event closes on October 15th
- Shortlisting takes place and publicity changes to the Theatre Royal evening
- 12 shortlisted finalists perform at the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine December 12th (Sunday) between 5 and 8 p.m. MC and patron of this event are being negotiated at present. Cheques etc. presented.
- December 15th Monster Meeting anniversary - 3 placegetters present their winning enties at the Monster Meeting celebration (Shepherd's Hut site)