Once again Steve Lane and
Gwynn van den Bergen
are organising
a wonderful pantomime.
Check out the poster ...
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Once again Steve Lane and Gwynn van den Bergen are organising a wonderful pantomime. Check out the poster ...  The 1st panel depicting the cover of the book. Many know little of the colourful past of the Moonambel Common. It is used today for a variety of purposes and acts as a focal point for many community activities. The Moonambel Arts and History Group (MAHG) has, for many years, worked towards developing this area as it is a listed Heritage Police Precinct which is included in the Pyrenees Shire Planning Scheme Heritage overlay. It is recorded that on 10 December 1860 a Police Station at Moonambel and Redbank was established … ’in consequence of an extensive goldfield with a population of about 30,000 having been opened and two townships having been established at those places’.  2nd panel The Police Station and lock up were erected in 1861 on the Police Reserve. Early records describe two lock ups and a shed as being located at the Police Camp. A Magistrates’ Court was then built. Today, the lock up is more or less hidden by the long fence running along the western side of The Common. MAHG discovered this is a rare timber ‘Early Portable’ lock up. In 2003 we obtained a grant from the Department of Sustainability and Environment- Historic Places and had the structure repaired. In 2009 we combed Police Historical Archives in Melbourne and unearthed the only remaining Moonambel Charge Book 1883 – 1914.  The 4 panels in place. Over this time, we sought ways to share this information with the community and all interested in history. We created a material 'mural' with the details listed in the Charge Book. We then sought grants to develop this idea. It has taken many years to achieve what you see today. The four panels include:
At last we have achieved what we aimed for all those years ago.  We were presented with artwork from 25 artists using a vast range of media. Wood carving, water colours, acrylics, oils, pastels, pencil, mosaic tiles, photography, linocutting, printing, torn tissue collage, glass and even rocks.  All up we had 59 pieces of art to exhibit. A record number of entries for our small group! Together with the market on Saturday we were pleased to see art, artists and the community come together for a wonderful art event. Thank you to all.  The artwork on this blog is just a small sample in the art show. We thank all the participants for their work.  We are delighted to bring another art experience to Moonambel. We decided to go without a title to give everyone the chance to exhibit their talents artistically in 2D or 3D. It is not too late to enter your wonderful creations. Just contact either Jan or Garry (details on poster) for the entry forms. All we ask is for the work to be presented well. That is, framed if needed, and the ability to be hung on our hook system. Plinths, maybe, if you have 3D work or contact us for clarificaton. (See contacts on the poster).  The community begins to gather for the ceremony at the memorial. Jan Curtis, our MAHG Secretary, put these thoughts on paper...  MAHG President Garry Hutton officiating at the service. As we stood remembering at the commemorative ceremony held at Moonambel's Memorial last Sunday, it seemed to me to really capture the spirit we all hold deep within our hearts. I am one of many who were thinking deeply of a father, grandfather, great uncle, great aunty, brothers and sisters who served way back.  I remember, maybe I was 7 or 8, sitting on the back door step with a tin trunk filled with photos, a uniform, tins of cigarettes, and drawings. My Dad was sitting with me, a little girl, who held, smelt and tried to understand this tin trunk.  I am glad to say I still have the trunk and most of my father's things. I wear his medals and those of his father with enormous pride. Those moments echo through to today. All he carried home was in this trunk and kept in a shed in Brunswick. It is here now with me in Warrenmang.
 So, back to our wonderful service in Moonambel prepared by Garry and Kaye Hutton. It was so heartfelt and moving. We had maybe 50 people attend. When young children appeared, they seemed to appreciate and respect the service. This is marvellous.
Lest We Forget. Jan Curtis  All photos: Ray Curtis & Kaye Hutton  2018 is the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice to end World War I. We will once again hold a small service at the Moonambel Memorial in the main street to honour this event.
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Our website was created December 2012. The History page lists activities from 2003 to 2012.
Coming Events
2019 We will keep you informed as these projects develop and of any new projects which arise... |
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