Annual General Meeting President April 2025
Thank you to all our members for their strong support of The Blue Mountains Historical Society during this year.
We have averaged 9.6 members and visitors attending during our standard opening hours in the Research Centre on Tuesdays and Fridays each week. There was a total of 972 persons visiting during the last year (April 2024 – March 2025).
Membership
Edward Ridge has undertaken the role of Membership Officer with dedication and commitment. Edward has also taken on the daunting task of checking the BMHS incoming email correspondence and forwarding to Management Committee members as required. He is also responsible for the forwarding of email newsletters and announcements to the membership as well as the circulation of all BMHS information to our members by email and post as required.
Our membership at 15 March 2025 was 140 Individual memberships and 49 Family memberships providing a total of 189 membership entries. We consider Family memberships to be a minimum of two persons bringing our total membership to a very encouraging 239 persons. We had 36 new individual members and 16 new Family memberships in the reporting period as at the March 2025.
Monthly Meetings
We had a total of 348 members and visitors attend our Monthly Meetings in the reporting period. This was an average of 38 at each meeting. In addition, there were 125 attendees at the Annual McLaughlin Address on 1 March 2025 including 50 members and 75 visitors. Eight new members joined the Society on the day.
– In April 2024, we held our Annual General Meeting. We had 37 members and guests attend the AGM. And we enjoyed a presentation from Kelsey McMorrow from Hawkesbury Regional Museum who gave an entertaining presentation on John Tebbutt, his instruments, Peninsula House and Tebbutt’s Observatory .
– In May, Christopher Webber spoke on “Operation Sea Lion – a Bluff or Hitler’s biggest mistake!” It was a very interesting analysis of the possibility of a successful invasion of the United Kingdom. (24 Attendees)
– In June, Peter Doyle spoke on the Justice & Police Museum’s Forensic Photographic Archive. (41 attendees)
-In July, John Lanser spoke on the making of Australia’s earliest talking film, “Showgirl’s Luck”, which was filmed, commencing in 1930, at the old Lapstone Hotel. John accompanied his talk with clips from the film. (47 attendees)
-In August, Andy Macqueen spoke on his publication The Frenchman Francis Barrallier life & journeys 1773- 1853. A very interesting talk on this first government authorised exploration of the Blue Mountains and his respect for the indigenous people who assisted him and who he encountered. (28 attendees).
-In September, Dr Meg Foster, Chancellor’s Research Fellow in the Social and Political Sciences Faculty at the University of Technology, Sydney spoke on her 2022 book, Boundary Crossers: The Hidden history of Australia’s other Bushrangers. (46 attendees).
-In October, Heather Knight spoke about her publication Poets, Painters and Pioneers Banjo Peterson’s Remarkable Family. This was again a very interesting presentation. (42 attendees).
-In November, Scott Honeysett spoke about his book Scattered Branches which tells a series of twelve human-interest stories about members of the Honeysett families who enlisted in the A.I.F during WWI. This was a very well researched presentation from a first-time author. (29 attendees)
-In February 2025, Our speaker Adrian Howie spoke about Harry Andreas and Edward Hewlett Hogben. Hogben was involved in designing ‘Leuralla’, modifications to the Carrington Hotel and many other well known structures in the Upper Mountains (54 attendees)
-A highly successful Annual McLaughlin Address was held on 1 March 2025 at the Wentworth Falls School of Arts building. Our Speaker Stuart Read discussed Paul Sorensen his life and career. There were 50 members and 75 non-members attending the lecture. This is our highest number of people attending a McLaughlin Address in recent years.
Open Days and Tarella
I greatly appreciate the assistance of our volunteers on our Open Days with cleaning, welcoming and processing payments, provision of light refreshments, staffing the Old Kitchen, and leading Tours of Tarella. I would particularly acknowledge Fiona Cameron for her knowledge, enthusiasm and dedicated support as Tarella Tour Leader and note the number of new volunteers who have assisted on Open Days.
We had a total of 352 visitors to our Monthly Open Days in the last reporting year. This is an average of 32 visitors per month. ( in comparison we had 361 and average of 33 in 2024 AGM reporting year, 507 visitors and average of 40 in 2023 AGM reporting year). The loss of our signage prohibited by the BMCC continues to have an affect on visitor numbers.
In April 2024 we had 36 visitors, in May 34 visitors, in June 43 visitors, in July 30 visitors, in August 35 visitors, in September 42 visitors, in October 16 visitors, in November 20 visitors. In January 2025 we received 44 visitors, in February 52 visitors ( a good turnout) and in March, we had 16 visitors on a wet and windy day.
The Tarella team have been busy with cleaning, re-arranging the furniture and objects to create new areas of interest and to rotate items from storage to display e.g. paintings
Grants
– The Society supported Christopher Webber in his grant application for to the Blue Mountains City Council for the design of a Rail History Brochure. He was granted $500. Sherida Currie and I prepared a grant application under the Blue Mountains City Council Local Heritage Assistance Fund for the repair of the Bull nose veranda on Tarella. We were successful with a grant for $2500. .
Donations
We were very appreciative of the donation of $2500 from Mrs Ethel Burgess, the mother of our long-time valued member Dallas Burgess following my request for possible donations. Our thanks to Dallas and Joanne Burgess for mentioning this request to Ethel.
Publications
-Our Publicity Officer Robyne Ridge continued to publish a regular history article in the Blue Mountains Gazette. Her articles raise the profile of the Society across the Blue Mountains region.
– Erik Halbert continued as our Editor of Hobby’s Outreach with six issues (from 36.2 to 37.1) produced throughout the year. Significant improvements were made to the publication’s format and structure. Each issue now comprises 16 pages, printed in full colour by Possum Print in Katoomba, and features a standardized numbering system that begins in January. This new system resolves the long-standing problem of the previous Dec-Jan issues that spanned two consecutive years. This reduces errors and confusion. The publication’s full title was updated to Hobby’s Outreach – Journal of Blue Mountains Historical Society. This new designation better reflects the diverse nature of the content, which extends beyond traditional newsletters. The term “journal” emphasizes the range and depth of articles, highlighting the scholarly nature of the publication.
-The major publication by the Society under the direction/editorship of Erik Halbert was John Britty North by Louise B Johnson, representing a significant scholarly achievement. The book produced in the Buff Book format and printed by Industrial Printing Co. in Lithgow, offers a comprehensive account of the life of John Britty North, an influential figure often referred to as the “Father of Katoomba. The book is a densely written work, comprising 284 pages, 45 full-colour plates, and 15 chapters which delve into various aspects of North’s life and career. It incorporates extensive quotations from personal and public documents, alongside a system of 949 supporting footnotes, offering a thorough examination of North’s impact.
Research
Our research co-ordinators Robyne Ridge and Stephen Davis have conscientiously responded to inquiries received from the public, members, the BMCC, the Blue Mountains Gazette and increasingly through our web page..
Total inquiries April 2024 to March 2025 : 113. These inquiries are categorised as:
House Histories -55; Biography -17; Place – 2; Structure/public building 13; Family History -3; Other -13, Associated Photographic – 10.
Significant research
i.A significant project was undertaken for Michele Corin’s social history of Lapstone and the influence of Arthur Hand in the village establishment. Stephen Davis became aware of Michele’s project via an item appearing in BMACHO’s ‘Heritage Jan 2024 newsletter requesting assistance. Correspondence with Michele involved 57 emails, 36 of which had 409 attachments of rate valuations in PDF format. A period of about 8 months from January 2024 to August 2024 was involved.
- Research into the history of the Clarendon in Lurline Street, revealed fascinating information about boarding houses and their ownership. Often the Manager is not the owner.
iii. An invitation was received by a selling owner in Mary St, Lawson (opposite the water tower), to view and record images internally and externally prior to the sale. The building dates to early 1900s and is of sandstone construction – Ted Szafraniec, Robyne Ridge & Stephen Davis attended.
Excursions
Christopher Webber most appreciatively organised excursions for the members and friends of the Blue Mountains Historical Society this year. These excursions have been very popular and we commend Christopher for his hard work.
April 2024 Upper Blue Mountains Railways
June Cabramatta Temple Crawl
July ANSTO – Lucas Heights
August Lithgow – Eskbank House, Lithgow State Mine, Small Arms Factory, Blast Furnace
October Blue Mountains Pub crawl
November Tarana, Oberon and O’Connell
December Bathurst – Abercrombie House and Ben Chifley’s Cottage
February 2025 Emu Plains to Faulconbridge Churches, Cemeteries, Corridor of Oaks
Representation.
– Fiona Burn represented the Blue Mountains Historical Society at the BMACHO Management Committee meetings as a Committee member (in May 2024 at Mt Wilson; in July at Eskbank House, Lithgow; in August at the Arms of Australia Inn, Emu Plains; in September at the Hawkesbury Regional Museum, Windsor; in October at Norman Lindsay Gallery, Faulconbridge; in November at the Lithgow State Mine Park; in December at the Mt Victoria Museum, in February 2025 at the Bygone Beauties Treasured Teapots Museum, in March at Everglades House & Gardens and in April at Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum). I also attended these meetings as BMACHO Treasurer.
-On 17 October, Robyne Ridge and Fiona Burn staffed a display table at the Senior’s Expo at the BMCC Cultural Centre. They spoke to 48 visitors to the display table.
Events and Tour groups
-On 14 October 2024, a 16-person tour group from the Baulkham Hills Monday Group toured Tarella and the Research Centre.
-On 23 October 2024, a 17-person tour group from the Glenbrook/Lapstone Probus Club toured Tarella and the Research Centre.
-On 7 December 2024, we had 39 attendees at the Christmas event sausage sizzle and Trivia competition including a number of new members. Thanks to Sue Collins as Quiz Master and her helpers, Management Committee and other helpers for catering, staffing the barbecue, provision of Trivia prizes, door prize and gifts. Our members were generous in the provision of nibblies, salads and desserts and decorating the tables.
Education and Training
– On 27 April, Robyne Ridge, Stephen Davis and Fiona Burn staffed a display table at the inaugural 2024 BMCC Heritage Forum at Blue Mountains Cultural Centre. Robyne Ridge presented a session at the Forum on How to Research Your House History.
-On 5 August, Fiona Burn and Ted Szafraniec attended the BMCC Museum & Galleries online Zoom meeting with Rebecca Turnbull and Gay Hendriksen.
– On 28 August, Fiona Burn gave a presentation on behalf of BMHS titled “Delving into the Collections” to the Lawson Probus Club.
-On 10 September, Christopher Webber hosted an Authors and Researchers Round Table “Time to Publish” as part of NSW 2024 History Week.
– On 13 September, Stephen Davis and Robyne Ridge presented a one-on-one How to Research your House History session as part of NSW 2024 History Week.
-On 19 October, Robyne Ridge gave the presentation How to Research Your House History at Woodford Academy.
On 26 -27 October, Fiona Burn represented the Society at the 2- day RAHS Local History Conference Windows into Local History at Campbelltown. Sue Collins and Patsy Moppett also attended.
– On 7 November, Fiona Burn attended the webinar “Strategies for volunteer operated Museums & Galleries” organised by M&G NSW and presented by the Australian Centre for Volunteering
-On 12 November, Fiona Burn and Ted Szafraniec attended the BMCC Muse Meeting in Springwood hosted by BMCC with Nicole Castle, Gay Hendriksen and Rebecca Turnbull. Fiona Burn prepared a Report for the 2024 Calendar year for the meeting.
-On 22 November, Fiona Burn represented the Society at the Regional Stakeholders Forum hosted by the Powerhouse Museum, Casula as an online participant. Other members of the Society also attended in person.
– On 11 March 2025, Fiona Burn and I attended the BMACHO Show and Tell event at Springwood as part of the BMCC Seniors Festival.
-On 25 March 2025, Fiona Burn and Christopher Webber attended the BMCC Muse Meeting in the Cultural Centre at Katoomba hosted by BMCC with Nicole Castle and Rebecca Turnbull. This included a session titled “First Nation perspectives in museums”.
Tarella Display
The exhibition Aviation: Discoveries, Developments and Disasters was installed in December 2024 and formally publicised from our January 2025 Open Day. Jade Smith, our 2024 Macquarie University volunteer student curated this exhibition with assistance from Fiona Burn. Jade’s father contributed his design skills in preparing a timeline of aviation disasters which he donated to the Society. Max Hill was also very helpful in providing design advice and training and preparing an AV presentation. Jade volunteered at the Society one day a week for 12 months under the supervision of Fiona Burn.
Gardens
Our Gardening Team has continued to maintain the gardens. Our Team during the reporting period comprised Penny Park, Lyn Robertson, Susan Aitken, Robyn Laycock and her granddaughter Asher Bower, Kate Santleben, Jim Esgate and Fiona Burn. We appreciate the assistance of Max Hill who has undertaken the mowing of the property on a monthly basis.
Building Maintenance
Jim Esgate undertook the role of Building Maintenance Co-ordinator. Stephen Davis, John Hill and Rod Julian have been helping with internal and external maintenance, grounds repair and tidying work. Continuing work has been undertaken on Tarella, the lawn maintenances, the main driveway, mould reparation internally and externally in the seminar room, lighting and air-conditioning issues, front gate repairs etc.
I (with the assistance of Stephen Davis) organised the lining of the Display Case glass in the Seminar Room with security film. The humidity levels have now been reduced significantly.
Archival Resources
Jennie Rothwell has diligently continued the project to enter data relating to the Research Files into the Archives Manager database. Marie Rodgers has continued organising and updating the Research Files in paper format.
Fiona Burn has continued to submit Treasures in the Archives articles for Hobby’s Outreach.
We have received some valuable archival and object donations in the last year including:
-Formal donation of the Souvenir Snapshots negative collection dating from 1950s – 1980s. I have been dedicating my time to digitising those images identified from the 1960s and seeking information about them through posting the images on Do You Remember Katoomba When? I have so far digitised 50,000 negatives with the assistance of John Hill ( and some input from Ted Szafraniec).
– (c1950s) Printing blocks and some metal plates (altogether over 20) that appear to be related to the Blue Mountains and the Bennett & Son Katoomba printing business firm. Some of the plates include photographs taken by Harry Philips.
-Super 8 movie projector, a Reel projector and 6 reels of film of unknown subjects.
-Vintage wooden school desk previously belonging to the late Church of England Minister living at Pritchard Street Wenworth Falls.
-Len Murphy’s indigenous family photographic album
-Small photograph album titled “Sydney Jenolan” June 1933
-donation of copies BM Advertiser 1948-1953, publications Katoomba High School 75 years (1994), Jenolan Caves 1967, Exploring Sydney West 1987 and an object – a Coat Hanger with inscription Maloney & Co
-Sea Chest belonging to Thomas Clatworthy (lived at Lawson and owned large part of the village) used in his travels to Australia in 1915 and 1919. It had formerly belonged to a relative of Clatworthy dated from 19thC
-early 20thC Dressmakers Dummy previously owned by Laurie Hibbard (nee Fowler) resident of Botany, Blackheath and Springwood
– 1910 Kerosene Upright Stove “Perfection” Laurel, bought for her by her daughter.
In addition, the project to formally accession a number of archival donations received in past years continued. A total of 35 new accession records (for new and past archival and museum donations) were completed in the reporting period.
Library and Images
Sherida Currie and Amanda Maples-Smith continued in their strong commitment to managing our Library collection. The Library’s priority of collecting publications primarily about the Blue Mountains and/or by Blue Mountains authors has seen the collection enhanced in the past year by additions such as:
- Eugene Stockton: Blue Mountains Hermit edited by William Emilsen and Peter Smith;
- The Frenchman: Francis Barrallier Life and Journeys 1773-1853 by Andy Macqueen
- Mountain Mishaps: Death and Misadventure in the Blue Mountains of NSW by Chris Webber
- Blackheath – Today from Yesterday edited by Dr Peter Rickwood and David West (replacement copy)
- In Case of Fire: Poems from the Blue Mountains edited by Michelle Rickerby
- John Britty North: Merchant, Mine Owner and Stockbroker by Louise B Johnson
- Answering the Coo-Ee Call by Pamela K Horne
The Library has continued working with the Blue Mountains Regional Fellowship of Australian Writers to ensure that we hold a complete set of that organisation’s anthologies. Years 2016 to 2023 of the Blue Mountains Gazette have been saved to disc in a format that facilitates searching and printing. Amanda has undertaken the task of auditing the Rare Books collection and reorganising that collection across two filing cabinets. Amanda has also managed to find some extra space for the Reference Collection, making access easier.
Photographic Curator
Ted Szafraniec has continued as our Image Curator and has responded to a large number of photographic research enquiries from members of the public and members of the Society during the year. Many of those required considerable time searching through the Society’s Photographs Collections. He has also submitted a regular article in most of the issues of Hobby’s Outreach. The photographic statistics for the year 2024 (January to December) are as follows:
New enquiries received – 53
Completed enquiries – 44
Outstanding enquiries – 9
Interesting matters included a number of photographic donations (5) and requests for photos from the BMHS Photographs Collections for 2 members undertaking public research presentations.
The c1950s printing blocks and some plates are in the process of being cleaned, proofs made to identify the subject matter and then will be archivally stored. This is being undertaken with assistance from the Printing Museum in Penrith.
Social media accounts
My thanks to Robyne Ridge and Linsi Braith for keeping our social media accounts relevant and interesting in the last reporting year.
Information Technology
Brooke Hinman undertook Website development for increased functionality and appearance in the first half of 2024. Edward Ridge with John Hill is undertaking the regular updating of the website. Jo Tibbetts from Active Computer Support continues to provide technology support when problematic situations arise.
Equipment and furniture
Jim Esgate and John Hill organised the installation of a hand dryer in the Hobby’s Research Centre toilet. Stephen Davis organised the relocation of the1870s piano to the ground floor of Tarella Cottage and the new School Desk to the first floor of Tarella Cottage. Robyne Ridge purchased a new toaster for the Kitchen.
Finance
The Management Committee was unable to fill the position of Treasurer through co-option to this vacancy. The Committee made the decision to employ Richards Financial services to undertake basic accounting duties for the Society. We are appreciative of Paul Innes in undertaking Petty Cash moneys receipt and re-imbursement duties. We are much indebted to Edward Ridge for co-ordinating payment of invoices, receipt of electronic payments from Monthly Meetings, Open Days etc and forwarding all financial documents to our accountants Richard Financial services.
Major Structural Projects.
The bull nose veranda of Tarella has been replaced by DC Construction, Heritage Architects.
The Development Application for the Archives storage building, designed to be thermally stable, progressed with the drafting of the building plans and specifications. It was submitted to the Blue Mountains City Council on Thursday 13 March 2025.
Options were investigated for the improvement of the problems caused by the pine needle build up from the large pine trees on the Hobby’s Reach property and concern regarding the stability of these trees.
Other Matters
– Our hire agreement continued for the use of our Seminar Room and kitchen by the Blue Mountains Bridge Club.
– Blue Mountains City Council and the community came together to celebrate the Blue Mountains Seniors Week Recognition Awards on Monday 24 March.The awards acknowledged the contributions of 27 individuals and one organisation. Vice-President Robyne Ridge was among the recipients and was nominated by Jan Koperberg. Our member Adrian Howie also received an award.
Committee: I would like to thank the Management Committee for their support, encouragement, and commitment: Robyne Ridge, Stephen Davis, John Hill, Paul Innes Christopher Webber and Fiona Burn.
Volunteers : My thanks to the various volunteer teams for their work during 2024-2025. The Society is dependent on its dedicated members.
Gardening and Grounds Team: Penny Park, Lyn Robertson, Fiona Burn, Kate Santleben, Robyn Laycock and her granddaughter Asher Bower, Susan Aitken, Rod Julian, Steven Davis, Jim Esgate, John Hill
Building Maintenance: Jim Esgate, John Hill, Stephen Davis
Catering Team: led by Robyne Ridge with Jan Koperberg, Rhona Tuite, Lyn Robertson, Dawn Krumm-Heller, Joanne Burgess, Marianne Erickson, Pam Chamberlain, Richard Jackson – Hope, Marg Kennedy.
Archives Working Group: Fiona Burn
Research Files: Jennie Rothwell and Marie Rodgers
Library: Sherida Currie and Amanda Maples-Smith
Tarella: Fiona Cameron, Penny Park, Glenis Geldard, Lyn Robertson, Helen Campbell, Jim Esgate, Fiona Burn
Membership: Edward Ridge
Photograph Curator : Ted Szafraniec
Publications Co-ordinator: Erik Halbert
Public Officer and Map Curator: Peter Rickwood
Phil Hammon
President
5 April 2025
