BMHS JANUARY NEWS BULLETIN
Happy New Year to you all. We trust that 2025 will be a positive and rewarding year for you.
The purpose of this first newsletter for 2025 is to remind you of some of the activities that will be taking place as we begin our Blue Mountains Historical Society year.
Hobby’s Reach Research Centre
The Society’s usual Tuesday and Friday sessions will be open for business from next Tuesday, 7th January 2025 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for members who would like to assist in maintaining our collections, undertake research, borrow books from our extensive library, etc. Non-members are also welcome on these days to enquire about research or other ways in which the Society may assist them.
If you have any questions about our activities on these days, please contact Mrs. Robyne Ridge on 041-998-5546.
BMHS latest publication- John Britty North.
Prior to Christmas we received delivery of our latest major new publication, a significant biography on the life of John Britty North, one of the founding fathers of Katoomba. 
This extensive work contains significant new material and is a must buy for those people who have an interest in the early years of Katoomba and its mining industry.
The book can be purchased online in the shop on our Blue Mountains Historical Society website, https://bluemountainshistory.com or can be purchased at the society on any day that the Hobby’s Reach research Centre or Tarella is open.
Tarella Open Day and Aviation Exhibition – 26th January 2025
The society will hold the first open day of its historic Cottage museum, Tarella, on 26 January 2025, Australia Day.
Members of the society and the public are both invited to visit between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. 
An exhibition telling the story of Aviation in the Blue Mountains will be open, for the first time, in our exhibition room in Tarella.
A visit to Tarella and the Aviation exhibition is free to members and $5 to the public. Children can visit for $2.
Members are also invited to assist on the day. If you are able to help and would like to find out more information about how you can assist, please contact Mrs. Robyne Ridge on 041 -998-5546.
BMHS meeting and public talk – Saturday 1 February 2025
Adrian Howie , a retired lawyer and member of our society, will present the first talk for 2025.
Adrian will speak about Harry Andreas, the original owner of Leuralla and, particularly, the work of Edward Hewitt Hogben. Hogben was the architect of Leuralla and many other prominent Blue Mountains buildings, a number of which will feature in Adrian’s talk.
Just a reminder that The talk begins at 10:30 a.m., while the society rooms will be open from 10:00 a m. for a cup of tea or coffee and a bikkie. Don’t forget to bring a few coins for our monthly raffle.
BMHS excursion program – February.
The excursion program for 2025 will commence on 19 February departing Hobby’s Reach at about 8:30 a.m.
The excursion will visit a number of places of worship and graveyards throughout the lower Blue Mountains and nearby regions starting in Mulgoa and working back up into the lower Blue Mountains. It is proposed that lunch will be at Springwood.
More specific details about the places that will be visited on the excursion will be provided nearer the date.
It is anticipated that the cost of the excursion will be similar to recent excursions last year. Any additional expenses, including lunch, will be paid by participants on the day.
Should you require further information about the excursion, or would like to book, please contact Chris Webber on 0424-720-676 or by email to vakarr@yahoo.com
Web page events section
Information about further excursions in 2025 and other Society events will be added to the events calendar of our web page https://bluemountainshistory.com as they come to hand.
We would encourage you to check out our website regularly for updates to events and, also, for new posts of information about the society as well as the occasional article.
Copies of all editions of Hobby’s Outreach are available on the website as well.
Membership of the society.
All members can assist the society by mentioning its work to their friends, neighbours and family and encourage them to both join the society and participate in some of its activities. The more support we have the better we can preserve and communicate the stories of the Blue Mountains.
New members can join on the website.
