Welcome back to what we hope will be a wonderful 2006 in the life of our Society.
Opening hours – BMHS Research Centre – Tuesday and Friday 10am to 2pm
BMHS Research Centre is now open again at its regular time for members and visitors to undertake research and assist in maintaining the Society’s records and facilities. We look forward to seeing you there between 10am and 2pm on Tuesdays or Fridays.
If you would like to contact the Society, please either email to bmhs@bluemountainshistory.com or ring our mobile number, 0478 291 856 and leave a message if it is unattended. Our landline number is still technically available but we have been having problems with it dropping out at very regular intervals, so the mobile number is the best one to use at the moment.
Tarella Open Day – Sunday 25 January 2026, 10am – 3pm
Our first Tarella Open Day for 2026 will take place on Sunday 25 January. A visit to Tarella is, of course, free for members. If you haven’t visited for a while, or not at all, we would encourage you to come along, inspect the cottage and enjoy morning and/or afternoon tea in the research centre kitchen.
Please also encourage any friends, relatives and neighbours, even distant acquaintances, to come and visit Tarella on Open Days.
We are always keen for new volunteers to assist on Open Days. There are a variety of things you could do from assisting in supervising in Tarella or its old kitchen, to meeting and greeting visitors or assisting with morning or afternoon teas. If you would like to help, please contact Robyne Ridge on 0419985546 or ridgerobyne@gmail.com and let her know you are available.
Meeting and Talk – Saturday 7 February 2026 – 10.30am
The first meeing and talk this year will feature an illustrated talk by Colln Semmler, a member of BMHS and well known Blue Mountains identity, who will speak to his very well researched and recently completed book about the pianists of the Blue Mountains entitled “The Show Must Go On”. This illustrated talk should prove to be of great interest. The talk will begin, as usual, at 10.30am with morning tea available from 10am. Members are free, while visitors are welcome for the small fee of $5.
BMHS Monthly Excursion – Wednesday 18 February – Linnwood House, Guildford
BMHS Excursions will take place, as usual, on the third Wednesday of each month this year. Lyn Robertson has kindly offered to undertake the excursion planning for the next 12 months.
Our first excursion on Wednesday, 18 February, will depart BMHS promptly at 8.30am for historic Linnwood House at Guildford.
Linnwood House was built in 1891 by politician and businessman, George McCreedy. The building houses both a museum and an Historical Society. Entry fee to Linnwood House is $15 and includes a guided tour and Devonshire Tea. Lunch will be at your own cost at a nearby club. In the afternoon, we will visit Fairfield Museum and Gallery and the village around it, The visit will cost $6 and will include a guided tour. Cost of the bus will be the usual $25.
If you would like to attend this excursion, please book by contacting Robyne Ridge on 0419 985 546 or by email on ridgerobyne@gmail.com. Please book as soon as possible to ensure a seat on the bus and so we can give number to Linnwood House for morning tea. If you have any dietary restrictions re the morning tea, please let Robyne know at the time of booking.
Hobby’s Outreach – March/April
The next edition of Hobby’s Outreach will, hopefully, be completed in time for distribution to members at the McLaughlin Lecture on Saturday 28 February. This issue will be compiled by Keith Painter with the assistance of Trudi Cooper, who has kindly offered to take over editing the newletter for the remainder of 2026.
We would invite members to contribute items of interest to the newsletter. If you have an historical story or anecdote, some interesting photos or any other item that might be interesting to your fellow BMHS members, please forward the information to Keith at kpainter7@outlook.com
Keith would be happy to talk to you if you’re not sure what you need to do to make a contribution. Just email him at the above address.
Thank you for your continued interest in BMHS. We look forward to seeing all our members during the year. Again, Happy New Year to you all.
Edward Ridge
Membership Secretary
Blue Mountains Historical Society
