Orange & District Historical Society
We are a group of people dedicated to preserving the history of Orange and district. We hold regular sessions for individuals and groups engaged in researching, cataloguing, documenting and preserving local history. Currently volunteers are working on the Emmco/Email/Electrolux photographic archive, the CWD Negative Collection, accessioning new items, preparing statements of significance and answering inquiries from members of the public. Our History Alive meetings, held bimonthly at the Orange Senior Citizens Centre, focus on various aspects of local history, including mining, orcharding, shops and stores, cordial factories, with guest speakers giving illustrated talks.
We also hold special events to mark significant anniversaries, such as the recent Rail 140 celebration in April 2017 to mark the 140th anniversary of the Great Western railway line reaching Orange. Our headquarters is at 148 March Street, Orange. We currently have about 120 members from Orange and district and further afield. If you would like to join our society then please fill out the membership form and return to us. |
Membership Fees Single: $30
Family $45 Concession $20 Couple concession $30 |
History of Our Society
Orange & District Historical Society was founded in 1949.
The unveiling of an obelisk on Ophir Road in December 1947 to commemorate the birth of Australia’s beloved poet, A B ‘Banjo’ Paterson, provided the impetus for the formation of Orange and District Historical Society. Orange’s most famous son was born at Narrambla, just north of Orange, on 17 February 1864. Although he was there only a short time, his name is indelibly linked with the Orange district. Paterson’s widow, daughter and two granddaughters attended the ceremony along with about 400 local people.
A little over a year later, in April 1949, as residents gathered once again to pay tribute to Paterson at the memorial, Canobolas Shire Council President, J M Caldwell, suggested there should be an annual event to honour the great writer. This would require the formation of a committee, and the best way to do that would be to establish an historical society in Orange. He said a society could compile records of the discovery and working of the first payable gold in Australia, at Ophir, mark the significance of the erection of the first Christian church west of the Blue Mountains, at Byng, and he pointed out that a small group of people was already working towards placing a commemorative tablet to the explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell on Mount Canobolas.
His vision was shared by a number of local people, led by Clerk of Petty Sessions Dick Sheridan, who was a member of the Royal Australian Historical Society.
Orange and District Historical Society’s inaugural meeting was held in the upstairs meeting room at the Town Hall in Anson Street, on 27 May 1949. A total of forty-four people became inaugural members of the society. Mr Sheridan was the society’s first president, later became patron, and spent countless hours researching many aspects of local history. A prolific writer, many of his historical articles appeared in the Central Western Daily.
The unveiling of an obelisk on Ophir Road in December 1947 to commemorate the birth of Australia’s beloved poet, A B ‘Banjo’ Paterson, provided the impetus for the formation of Orange and District Historical Society. Orange’s most famous son was born at Narrambla, just north of Orange, on 17 February 1864. Although he was there only a short time, his name is indelibly linked with the Orange district. Paterson’s widow, daughter and two granddaughters attended the ceremony along with about 400 local people.
A little over a year later, in April 1949, as residents gathered once again to pay tribute to Paterson at the memorial, Canobolas Shire Council President, J M Caldwell, suggested there should be an annual event to honour the great writer. This would require the formation of a committee, and the best way to do that would be to establish an historical society in Orange. He said a society could compile records of the discovery and working of the first payable gold in Australia, at Ophir, mark the significance of the erection of the first Christian church west of the Blue Mountains, at Byng, and he pointed out that a small group of people was already working towards placing a commemorative tablet to the explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell on Mount Canobolas.
His vision was shared by a number of local people, led by Clerk of Petty Sessions Dick Sheridan, who was a member of the Royal Australian Historical Society.
Orange and District Historical Society’s inaugural meeting was held in the upstairs meeting room at the Town Hall in Anson Street, on 27 May 1949. A total of forty-four people became inaugural members of the society. Mr Sheridan was the society’s first president, later became patron, and spent countless hours researching many aspects of local history. A prolific writer, many of his historical articles appeared in the Central Western Daily.
Volunteers
The society has a keen group of volunteers who carry out research, manage the collection, scan negatives, conduct oral histories, and administer the society’s affairs.
Work is mainly carried out at the society’s headquarters at the Heritage Centre, 148 March Street, but some jobs may be done by volunteers in their own homes. Some work requires computer literacy and training is given when needed.
The main working day for volunteers is Wednesday between 10am and 4pm (starting with morning tea) at the cottage. Other work may be done on different days according to what is needed and who is available.
Anyone who would like to volunteer can be involved in a variety of tasks. They are encourage to develop a particular area of interest.
If you would like to join our society then please fill out the membership form and return to us.
Work is mainly carried out at the society’s headquarters at the Heritage Centre, 148 March Street, but some jobs may be done by volunteers in their own homes. Some work requires computer literacy and training is given when needed.
The main working day for volunteers is Wednesday between 10am and 4pm (starting with morning tea) at the cottage. Other work may be done on different days according to what is needed and who is available.
Anyone who would like to volunteer can be involved in a variety of tasks. They are encourage to develop a particular area of interest.
If you would like to join our society then please fill out the membership form and return to us.
Our Committee
The committee comprises:
President - Bob Curran
Vice-president - Dave Sykes
Secretary - John Smith
Treasurer - Steve Brakenridge
Committee Members - Judy Agland, Jim Coffey, Liz Edwards, Karen Kloosterman and Phil Stevenson,
President - Bob Curran
Vice-president - Dave Sykes
Secretary - John Smith
Treasurer - Steve Brakenridge
Committee Members - Judy Agland, Jim Coffey, Liz Edwards, Karen Kloosterman and Phil Stevenson,