Fellowship of First Fleeters Hunter Valley Chapter

“To live on in the hearts and minds of Descendants is never to die.” All correspondence to: 22 Ruskin St. Beresfield 2322 www.firstfleetershunter.com.au

President: Vice President Membership: Secretary: Treasurer: Jane van Woerkom Barbara Gow Cynthia Huggup Raymond Green Helen Pacey Ph: 49676332 Ph: 49366403 Ph: 49558045 Ph: 4964132 Ph: 40234979

The Coal River Bulletin Newsletter No: 39 - August 2014

The AGM on the 11th August was again combined with our Soup & Damper luncheon. We were also delighted to have with us Ian Palmer, President of the Fellowship of First Fleeters, who was also our guest speaker.

Barbara Turner, our Chapter President for the past 5 years, conducted her last General Meeting today. We are so grateful to Barbara for all the time and effort she has given to our Chapter as President. Her enthusiasm and commitment

contributed to the vibrancy and friendliness of our Club which in turn saw our numbers increase dramatically. Barbara we all wish you the best health-wise and good luck as you move house and we look forward to you still contributing to our meetings whenever you can!

Congratulations & Welcome to our new Committee for 2014/2015

President: Jane van Woerkom Vice President: Barbara Gow.

Our other Committee members retain their previous positions as follows: Secretary: Ray Green Assistant Minutes Secretary: Jeanette Green Treasurer: Helen Pacey Assistant Treasurer: Wendy Swinkles Publicity: Phil Alexander Programme Officer: Yvonne Bradley Newsletter Editor: Judy Aubin Web Master: Phil Aubin Equipment/Library: Don Huggup Catering: Pat Smith

2014/2015 Committee with F.F.F. President Ian Palmer. Absent Cynthia & Wendy

Hello everyone, On behalf of the members and the newly elected committee, I would like to express our appreciative thanks to retiring President Barbara Turner, who has served as President for the past five years. Barbara’s husband John has also been generous with his time, active participation and support in the development and maintenance of the chapter. We wish Barbara and John well in their new found retirement and after some “R and R” look forward to meeting up with them again. Grateful acknowledgement also goes to our retiring Vice President Cynthia Huggup who we thank for her management skills in her continuing role as membership officer.

Their shared support, along with that of the general membership and the positive and productive actions of the management committee members, has seen the Hunter Valley Chapter grow in strength with 80 active members and around 16 inactive members.

As the incoming president it is a fitting time to express thanks to the general members for their regular attendance at meetings, shared outings, guest speaker presentations and commemorative events. This participation is made even more enjoyable through the bi-monthly luncheon meeting arrangement, which enables time for members to commune and share our common ancestral experience some 226 years after the landing at Sydney Cove. As well, special mention must go to the Chapter committee whose various skills enable the smooth management of the many aspects of the chapter. In welcoming the continuing committee members we also welcome the newly elected Vice President, Barbara Gow, who brings a background of involvement with the Maitland Family History Society to the benefit of the Chapter.

In a year of commemorations we acknowledge the fitting celebrations of the life and death of Admiral (Captain) Arthur Phillip, without whose extraordinary meticulousness, concern for the health and welfare of the people who formed the First Fleet and his commendable leadership from embarkation to his departure in December 1792 we would not be the Commonwealth we call Australia, today. From the First Fleet experience, the courage, fortitude and resilience of our ancestors is mirrored in this year 2014, the centenary year of commemoration of the soldiers of WWI and also a lead-in year to 2015 and the ANZAC story which is, I believe, a reflection of the spirit of the First Fleeters. As the incoming President I am conscious of the importance of recording the past for the future and refer to the novel “How Green was my Valley” (FFF website) and the words of Richard Llewellyn when he writes: “I saw behind me those who had gone, and before me, those who are to come. I looked back and saw my father, and his father, and all our fathers, and in front, to see my son, and his son, and the sons upon sons beyond. And their eyes were my eyes.” With these words in mind I am very pleased to accept the role of President for 2014-15 and commit to aims of the FFF and to recording and sharing the stories of the Hunter Valley Chapter of the Fellowship of First Fleeters. Jane van Woerkom, President 2014-15 _______________________________

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Barbara & John Turner joined members of the Committee for a 'Thank You' luncheon at Surf House, Merewether on 27

th of August.

It was a privilege to have as Guest Speaker at our AGM, Ian Palmer, who is not only the current President of the Fellowship but who is also a 1968 Foundation Member.

Ian introduced us to his First Fleet Ancestor John Palmer and what an interesting story he had to tell. Here is a condensed version of his story.

John, who at the age of 8 joined the Navy as a Captain’s Servant, became a Purser before he was 21. He was on board the “Richmond” during the American War of Independence and was a Prisoner of War when his ship was captured and he was arrested with the rest of the crew.

In 1783 he married an American lass, Susan Stillwell, and after the war they returned to England. He was posted to the First Fleet as a Purser on the Flagship Sirius.

He was on board the Sirius when it came to grief on a reef on Norfolk Island and he was subsequently sent back to Sydney to take up the post as Commissary General for the fledgling settlement. John received his first land grants before returning to England in 1793 to settle his affairs. He had been apart from his wife Susan for 10 years. He and his wife with their 2 sons returned to NSW in 1800. He built his home “Woolloomooloo” on his Surry Hills land grant of 105 acres – it being described as having a gentle slope overlooking the bay.

Woolloomooloo – 1803. Water colour painting on paper by early convict artist

John Boger – Mitchell Library.

Unfortunately John was arrested during the Rum Rebellion, being part of the Government officers, and was recalled to England to give evidence relating to the Rum Rebellion. On his return and under Governor Macquarie he was restored as Commissary General. In a later restructure, he was demoted to Deputy and this began the decline in his fortunes.

He had financed investments on borrowings and when these were called in by Sir Robert Campbell during a financial crisis he was unable to pay his debts. This necessitated selling his assets including Woolloomooloo, which realised only half of the amount owing on this property.

John then concentrated on his property of 3,000 acres at Waddon near Parramatta. Over his career he had served as a sailor, Magistrate, Land owner, explorer and Merchant thereby contributing much to the success of the new colony.

His wife Susan died in 1832 and when John died the following year in September 1833 it was reported he was “the last surviving officer of the First Fleet in this part of His Majesty’s Dominions”. John and Susan are buried in St. Johns Anglican Cemetery Parramatta and were honoured with a stained glass window in St. Johns church.

As a matter on interest First Fleet House Sydney sits on donated land from John Palmer’s estate Woolloomooloo.

Many thanks to John for his Presentation which was followed by our Soup and Damper luncheon.

One more task remained for John – helping President Jane cut the AGM celebratory cake!

I said to the wife: “I need a Newspaper.” “Don’t be silly” she said “borrow my iPad” That spider never knew what hit it!

September Outing - Fort Denison Monday 15th September 2014

We meet in the 2nd carriage of the 7.18am train from Newcastle arriving at Central 10am. Transfer to the City Circle platform to Circular Quay for morning tea.

Arrive at Wharf 6 by 11.45 for the 12noon ferry to the Island. The guided tour starts at 12.15. The cannon will be fired at 1pm. There is an up-market restaurant on the island (bookings necessary) or catch the 1pm ferry back to the Quay for lunch. Cost $33 includes Ferry transfers and tour. Contact Yvonne 49574758. ____________________

Up-coming events

Christmas Party – 8th December

After the success of our festive get-together last year we will again celebrate in our usual meeting venue.

Details of the Christmas menu will be available at the October meeting. Cost $35 pp. _________________

Australia Day 2015 The spokesperson for our Chapter Events Committee, Delma Burns, will inform us as planning details become available. ________________

March outing 2015 This will be a picnic to Terry Musgrave’s First Fleeter’s property at Portland on the Hawkesbury. Details as they come to hand.

Your Editor – Judy Aubin

You are cordially invited to our next General Meeting

When: Monday 20th October, 2014

Where: Senior Citizens Hall

Brunker Rd. Adamstown

Time: 10am for 10.30 start. Tea & Coffee on arrival

Guest Speaker:

Ron Withington

Ron travelled to the UK with the Fellowship and attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of Admiral Arthur Phillip.

We look forward to hearing of this special occasion and of Ron’s travels to Bath and beyond for other memorials.

Cost $5 pp. Please bring along a small plate of finger food to share over lunch.

Happy Birthday to:

September:

Malcolm Burns, Daphne Hughes, Trevor Jones, Andrew Pacey, Jan Davis Joy Pinkerton, Norman Hannah, Gary Ballhouse, Francis Bailey and Judy Aubin.

October:

Bruce Agland, Don Armitage, Brittany Pacey, Judy Pepper, Rhondda Glass, Neil Pacey and John Green

Hope you all have a happy day!