The McCormacks from Nenagh Tipperary | Community organisation

The McCormacks from Nenagh Tipperary

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25.01.2022 A big thank you to Eamon Mulqueen For sharing this post. From the opposite side of the world, it’s great to see how despite this hideous pandemic which prevents us travelling to see one another, that a town can provide their Christmas light display online for those who physically cannot get there. Peace and joy to all the family and friends at Christmas.

25.01.2022 Proud to share this excellent product made by our cousin Tony McCormack, son of Clare and the late Caruse Carusi. Actually,his name is Tony Carusi , see Karen Short ‘s post below. But you have only to look at Tony to see he is a true blue McCormack

25.01.2022 The power of technology. We would never in the olden days, have dreamed of having an hour and 20 minute long conversation on the telephone with someone across the other side of the world in America. The cost would have been a years mortgage. So it was it with a lot of joy and thank you to face time, that Greg Hammerton and Joyce just spent that long talking to Matt and Linda McCormick and their daughter Kate at no charge . So good to exchange information about world affairs with someone in another country. Who knows who we will contact next? Thank you for listening to us for so long. Joyce and Greg.

24.01.2022 Thank you so much!!! With the kind support from cousins all over the world we had a successful fundraiser. One of the first purchases were these voice note takers. As McCormacks love to chin wag, we thought we would capture it all.... The first machine is currently with cousin Ron Yeo. Over the next 12 months hopefully these get into as many hands as possible, and stories from our past start to roll in! Thanks everyone #mccormacks

24.01.2022 We love this photo of Arras Wiedorn, daughter of Macushla Wiedorn and Paul, granddaughter of Emmett and Margaret McCormick . Great story .

24.01.2022 Oh my goodness. What a in my opinion , hideous development of our late cousin Carl Fosters petrol station. We visited Carl many times over the years when he was at work and we will agree the present garage is not the prettiest building in the book, but this proposal is just revolting in my opinion. If any of the cousins who are interested would like to read this post, you may feel also interested to post a submission to the local council about it.

23.01.2022 Hi all, Just a note that Pamela Virtue (nee McCormack/McFarland) is not doing very well at the moment. Although we can not go and visit her, maybe send some good messages along her way!

21.01.2022 AUSTRALIAN HOME PLACE, 8 Part Series, Sam McCormack PART 8 - RETIREMENT OF MICHAEL & ROSEANNAH After farming for several years at Rocky Mouth Creek, Michael and Roseannah retired and, after some years in a home on Grants Hill Woodburn, went to live in Brisbane with their youngest son Patrick, daughter Margaret (Peg) and grandson Frank. ... One day in 1926, the family returned borne after attending a Corpus Christi Celebration, to find their home burnt to the ground, losing all their belongings. After the tragedy, Patrick stayed in Brisbane, but the Grandparents, Margaret and Frank settled back in Coraki. They lived in Donaldson St. then in Richmond Terrace above shops which Grandfather apparently had bought. Frank attended St Josephs School, Coraki and become the first pupil from that school to receive a bursary to Woodlawn College in Lismore in 1929. Grandmother Rose died in February 1928 during a flood. Her body was transported in a Cream Boat from Coraki to Woodburn, for burial. Mike McCormack remembers the Coffin being kept overnight in the family residence at North Woodburn, now owned by Mike. After the death of Roseanna, Grandfather came to live with our family in North Woodburn. I have early recollections of Grandfather kneeling to pray each night beside the bed he shared with Jake and myself. He would then get into bed and try to teach us to pray. I was probably five and Jake about three. I credit grandfather with teaching all of us the fundamentals of gardening, particularly the older brothers, Mike, Tom and Bill. Grandfather always bad a variety of vegetables thriving in the back garden. The North Woodburn residence at that time was a large 2-storey building. It bad been originally the Northumberland Hotel and when South Woodburn became the main business area (being on the Pacific Highway) the premises became a store and was then acquired by Michael (Mick) McCormack. The top level was removed in the mid-l930s, and the residence converted to single level. Grandfather Michael McCormack died at North Woodburn on I March 1935 in the house now owned by Mike McCormack, which some of might be forgiven for calling it the Australian "Home Place".

21.01.2022 Thanks to Kelly McCormack for giving us a laugh with this post. Hope all our cousins around the world put a smile on their dial when they read this.

21.01.2022 Hopefully, if I have learnt to do this right we will have 28 photos taken on Saturday at the McCormack family picnic at Margaret and John Drew’s place in New South Wales Australia. Individual photos have captions underneath. Could someone please show these to auntie Claire Carusi and Neita and Myrna Yeo

19.01.2022 Something to smile about in these Covid times.

19.01.2022 We love these photos, taken last night, by Helen Hunter. She lives out the back of Jenolan Caves and had a fairly good dump of snow yesterday. Many of us went to her lovely home a few years back where she taught us to fossick for gold. We all still miss her late husband Scotty who was always the life and soul of the party .

19.01.2022 Thank you to Linda McCormick for this . Certainly a different Easter to the way we are used to celebrating. We made a little pilgrimage to the National Cathedral on this Easter morning to walk through the grounds. Thanks to our niece Marie in Oregon for sending us these spiffy masks.

19.01.2022 We would like everyone to be aware that one of our family members, Marie Nolan in Gosford Australia has been hacked. Should you receive any unusual messages from her, regarding a win that she may have had, please ignore it. Do not activate any links in there. We are only posting this in case they have somehow got into the family page address book .

18.01.2022 FYI. For those of you coming to the picnic tomorrow, the off ramps from the M4 Northern Road are closed for the whole weekend. Find another route.FYI. For those of you coming to the picnic tomorrow, the off ramps from the M4 Northern Road are closed for the whole weekend. Find another route.

18.01.2022 AUSTRALIAN HOME PLACE, 8 Part Series, Sam McCormack PART 4 - THE SCHOOLS The Presbyterian School in Grafton closed in March 1867 and by negotiation the materials were transferred to the first Southgate school which opened on 8 July 1867. The school suffered from lack of attendance and disgruntled teachers and spasmodically closed and opened for some years. ... By 1878 the building had deteriorated badly and a new 2-acre site for a Government school was acquired in 1879. The new school was completed for the beginning of the 1882 school year at which time the teacher Mr. Stewart resigned and became a farmer. His successor was Mr. Bourke assisted by a student teacher. Several changes of teacher occurred between 1888 and 1908 during which period the McCormack children attended. The main teachers recollected by them were Mr. Thomas Page, followed by Mr. Hayes. The Roll of Honour for pupils who served overseas in I 9 I 4 - 1918 war includes L McCormack and T. McCormack. The Honour roll is still intact though the School closed in 1988. By a strange quirk of fate, the headmaster when the school finally closed was Michael McCormack, great-grandson of Michael and Rose McCormack.

16.01.2022 AUSTRALIAN HOME PLACE, 8 Part Series, Sam McCormack PART 1 - SOUTHGATE NSW Under the Robertson Land Act 1861, land between 40 and 360 acres could now be selected and acquired at One pound per acre, Five shillings down payment.... In 1857 the rich river frontages were thrown open for auction. Walter Hindmarsh was among the first who started farming here. He commenced farming at Alumy Creek (later known as Lower Southgate). The heavy brush, which could be cleared at only about an acre a week, harboured bandicoots and paddyrnelons, and the Hindmarsh home was fenced-in with bamboo laced into wicker work to keep them out of the garden. Ticks were so bad; it was impossible to keep a dog. In 1857 a particularly severe flood on the Williams river in the Hunter district caused Francis Arthur Egan and wife Mary Murphy to gather up their belongings and head for the Clarence river, 500 miles to the North by horse and dray. Like many others they preferred to eke out a living from the Clarence River Scrub than "to keep paying rent to the big estates on the Hunter and Williams rivers acquired by holders through the old land grant system". The Alumy Creek property eventually purchased by Michael McCormack, was a Crown Grant to Jane and Susan Hindmarsh dated 26 March 1857. A Statutory declaration by those parties in 1871, supporting a transfer to Henry Barnes of Dyrabba, states that the land was then occupied by Francis Egan. On 3 April 1906 Michael McCormack became the registered proprietor of the land. On 3 January 1910 the land was sold to Samuel Lee of Grafton.

16.01.2022 1848 A GUNFIGHT TAKES PLACE BETWEEN YOUNG IRELAND REBELS AND POLICE AT WIDOW MCCORMACKS HOUSE IN BALLINGARRY, CO TIPPERARY ....An insight to the times in Tipperary during the mid 1850s, that would have contributed to the family decisions to emigrate in the 1880s..... The Young Irelander Rebellion was a failed Irish nationalist uprising led by the Young Ireland movement, part of the wider Revolutions of 1848 that affected most of Europe. It took place on 29 July 1848 in t...Continue reading

16.01.2022 I love my Sydney Swans. A great Australian football league team. And I’m always thrilled when an Irishman comes to play From the other side of the world. Glad to see this today, that a man from Tipperary has played in the finals over there and won the championship. Good lad

16.01.2022 ATTENTION COUSINS.... We are looking for some family stories. Can you help? Over the next 4 days we have an 8 part series from the Late Sam McCormack, the publisher of the family history.... This may get some ideas flowing. These stories share a photo, and a family story of 400 to 1000 words. Can you help? We can edit and publish them for you! Regards McCormack Committee.

15.01.2022 My favourite Irish poem, and tonights rainbow over my home! ....May you always have work for your hands to do, May your pockets hold always a coin or two, May the sun shine bright on your windowpane,... May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain, May the hand of a friend always be near you, And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you...... @ Glenwood See more

14.01.2022 On This Anzac Day, we remember: THOMAS MAURICE (1894-26/11/1921). (8th child of Michael and Roseannah McCormack, 4th boy) Thomas remained a bachelor. ... He was the first volunteer to join the Light Horse from the Woodburn area in World War 1, 1914. He went through the Middle East and Gallipoli campaign and wrote back many graphic stories about the battles. One of his letters back home (dated 19th October 1916) was written at Romani, after 2 years action with this famous Brigade. His letter tells stories of their Victory in Romani. This conflict against over 5,000 Turkish soldiers. In the end of the Battle, the Turkish in their 1,000s surrender under a white flag. He returned from the war physically unscathed in 1919 only to die as a result of a tragic farm accident on a disc harrow on the family farm at Rocky Mouth Creek, Woodburn in November 1921. #LestWeForget

14.01.2022 The entire McCormack family wish to send their sincere sympathy to the family of the late Ada Cooper who has recently passed away. I am trying to repost the message from her daughter Susan McGregor with the link to the funeral details. Just a few gremlins here but still working on it.

14.01.2022 We love seeing what cousin Marianne Healy-Traves horses get up to .

14.01.2022 Japanese good luck flag : On display in The Australian War Memorial Lance Corporal M A McCormack, 2/9 Battalion Machine Gun Section NX109943 Lance Corporal Michael Angelo McCormack, of Woodburn, NSW, born 3 August 1920, who enlisted on 24 July 1942, having previously served in the militia. ...Continue reading

13.01.2022 AUSTRALIAN HOME PLACE, 8 Part Series, Sam McCormack PART 2 - EARLY STRUGGLES OF THE SETTLERS Despite the harsh conditions endured by the early settlers of Southgate, by the early 1870s they had created a thriving district with a school, hotel, shop and community activities. Alumy Creek and the river played a most important part in the amazing progress achieved in those early years.... It is instructive to consider what the early settlers faced. The land was thick scrub and brush. A shelter had to be provided, usually a temporary hut with two rooms and dirt floor. There was need to hasten to get a crop in, so the first job was to clear some brush and fell the timber on a portion. When it was sufficiently dry a running fire was started which, while burning the brush and smaller branches, just left the logs charred. In the blackened earth between the logs, maize was planted with a hoe. In the same publication, Mrs. H Biddle is quoted about the Berry family, "Cooking had to be done in an open fireplace, just a couple of iron bars placed across, and stood on bricks, to stand the kettle and pots on. The walls of homes had no paint, they were whitewashed with lime and water. After the dirt floors were replaced with timber, they used to be scrubbed with a brick to make them look nice and white. Beds and bedding were scarce. These consisted of material stuffed with corn husks and feathers. The roofs of buildings were all done with wooden shingles." Aunty Biddy recalled that her least-liked job as a girl was having to carry water in buckets from the river to the copper on washdays.

13.01.2022 We are sorry to have to post this but unfortunately we must. Sadly two of our family members have been spammed recently. Their profiles have been stolen. They ask you to contact them via instant message. And you think it’s real because their photo is there. They start chatting asking how you are. You respond etc and after five or 10 minutes, they tell you their great news. They’ve just been granted $50,000 from the federal government. Would I like the link to get the money... as well. And they keep pestering you then . So if you should get such a request from Mary McCormack Doust or Marie Nolan Please disregard totally. If you are reading this, Graham McFarland can you please put a post on here to let us know how to get rid of this spam. Or indeed if any family member is a bit more cluey than me that would help Marie and Mary it would be very much appreciated.

13.01.2022 Happy to see this from our cousin Kiara McCormick Timeus in the US. Hope there is enough for everyone and that we can eliminate this blasted Covid sooner rather than later. Woohoo! Got my shot. So happy to see all of our residents and patients get their vaccine shots today as well as our staff!

12.01.2022 Once again, thank you very much!

12.01.2022 So who is coming this Sunday? The following family members have indicated they will be there and looking forward to seeing others also. Ron and Wilma Yeo.... Joel and Lee Spreadborough Judy Green Liz Drew Mandi Drew Carolynne Cooper Greg Hammerton Marg and John Drew. Please arrive any time after 11 am. Please let Margaret know if you’re going. 0428136748

12.01.2022 Thank you Linda J McCormick for sharing this with us all. A belated happy Saint Patrick’s Day for yesterday to all the cousins descending from the McCormack clan.

11.01.2022 Today, for the first time in weeks, the Australian Government allowed visitors into aged care facilities. For weeks Pamela Pam Virtue (ne McCormack) has been separated from her husband Gregory Virtue . Today, was their wedding Anniversary of 26 years... ... They were allowed just one hour together! Wishing you both happiness, and many more years to come! #McCormack

10.01.2022 Anzac Day 2020 "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning ... We will remember them." Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have given so much for our country. In particular, my thoughts are with our Great Great Uncle Thomas McCormack (Light Horseman WW1 North Africa / Gallipoli) , Cousin Michael A McCormack (WW2), Grandfather Keith Virtue (WW2 Kokoda), Cadet Core leader Major Clay McDonald (Vietnam) and gratitude to my brother Major Matthew McFarland CSC (retired- All conflicts 1994 - 2018).

10.01.2022 AUSTRALIAN HOME PLACE, 8 Part Series, Sam McCormack PART 5 - THE SOUTHGATE FARM Searching the Title Deeds of the McCormack property at Southgate has revealed that the land was part of a Crown Grant to Jane Hindmarsh and Susan Hindmarsh on 26 March 1857. ... It was converted to Torrens Title as Vol. 127 Folio.238, on 13 November 1871, at which date it was acquired by Henry Barnes of Dyrabba. On 8 June 1896 it was transferred to Jean Barnes then on 16 December 1905, to Walter Barnes and then to Michael McCormack in 1906. The land adjoined the Egan property. THE ALUMY CREEK GHOST The farm was situated within walking distance from the Southgate hotel on the opposite side of Alumy creek. Grandfather developed the habit of walking to the pub sometimes after a hard days work. The engineer who built the bridge over the creek, had earlier hanged himself from the bridge and was reputed to haunt the area. On one particular night grandfather, after a visit to the pub returned to the house in a high state of agitation and waving two bloodied fists. He told the family that he had met the ghost on the bridge and "gave him something for his comer". The boys said, "well go down and see if he is still there". Grandfather said, "dont go down without the pitchfork". They went to the bridge carrying the pitchfork but saw no sign of the ghost. In 1909 grandfather sold the Southgate farm with the intention of moving to the Atherton tablelands in Queensland. At the time he was still chairman of directors of the Southgate Dairy Company, which he helped to set up. The district organised a send-off and presented him with an engraved gold watch and chain recognition of his services to the district. The watch has been handed down to five successive generations of "Michael" McCormacks since then. On the night of the send-off a neighbor, Mr. "Bender", (its not a pun, really!) sought a private talk with grandfather. "I cant let you leave he district without making a confession to you, he said. "The ghost you met on the bridge that might was me. I was on my way home after stealing a bag of corn from your barn to feed my horses" "Why didnt you ask me for a bag of corn? I would have given you is much as you wanted" said grandfather." "I had no money and was too proud to ask you" replied Mr. Bender. "I could not show my face out of the house for a month afterwards, from the battering you gave me.

08.01.2022 AUSTRALIAN HOME PLACE, 8 Part Series, Sam McCormack PART 3 - FLEDGING INDUSTRIES In 1870 the Colonial Sugar Refining Company began crushing sugar cane at Southgate. Two more mills began operating but by 1902 all mills had closed due to abolition duties of sugar and frost damage occurring too often. ... This prompted many farmers to move into dairying. When Grandfather Michael came to Southgate, dairying and non-cane agriculture were gaining prominence over the cane industry locally. In 1891 von Mueller introduced Paspalum grass from South America which remained the main fodder grass until the introduction of Kikuyu in 1920. In 1892 the Ulmarra Pioneer Butter Factory began operation and Southgate fanners supplied their milk to that factory. In about 1 900, the Southgate Creamery Co-Operative was established, and Grandfather Michael became its chairman. He resigned in 1909 when he moved to Woodburn and the factory closed down in 1912. The purpose of the co-operative was to set up the expensive separator machinery run by steam, to process the farmers milk. Before long engineering companies like Alfa-Laval, Melotte and Lister provided more compact separators which enabled the farmers to separate their own milk on the farm and send the cream to butter factories. The by-product, skim milk, was then available to build and sustain a subsidiary additional industry, Pig-raising.

08.01.2022 This year Cousin Carolynne Cooper compiled many photos gathered over time, and put it together into this wonderful family movie. Thanks you Carolynne Cooper for all your hardwork.. #McCormacks... #McCormacksUSA #McCormacksAUS #McCormacksNenaghTipperary #Tipperary See more

08.01.2022 AUSTRALIAN HOME PLACE, 8 Part Series, Sam McCormack PART 7 - THE OPENING OF THE AUCTIONEERING BUSINESS IN 1912 During his time on the Tucombil farm, Grandfather served two terms as a director of the Tweed Lismore Pastures Protection Board. In 1912, our father Mick and Uncle Frank started the auctioneering firm of McCormack Brothers. ... No doubt Grandfather would have had a finger in the pie, money-wise. The same business has been continuously in the family now for 108 years. The name changed to M. McCormack, then to M. McCormack & sons (Mike, Tom, Bill, Sam & Jake. Barry was still at school). Tom & Bill later became sole owners of the business. Ownership changed to Peter, Phillip and Thomas jnr., three of Toms sons. Peter and Phillip continued for some years and now Peter and his family are the sole owners of the company, T & W McCormack Pty. Ltd., which is the oldest family Auctioneering Business on the North Coast of NSW (Established 1912). Sons, Matthew and Mark, are establishing themselves as top Livestock Auctioneers. Matthew was a finalist for the Australian Auctioneering Contest at the Sydney Easter Show in 2004.

08.01.2022 The McCormack clan from around the world which to express sincere condolences to the family of the late Ada Grimble nee Cooper, Who has recently passed away. Details of the funeral are listed below for those who wish to watch it via Live Stream in Susans post .

07.01.2022 Here is our Great Uncle being recognised by the Federal Senator this Anzac Day!

07.01.2022 Thank you Kevin for this input into your national day. Hope you are enjoying yourselves. The cake looks wonderful.

07.01.2022 BROTHER, FRIEND AND HERO Here is a poem that was written by Herbert Uncle Sam McCormack 20 years ago for his brothers 80th birthday. Michael A McCormack would have turned 100 this August 2020. If you are interested in Michaels service, there is quite a bit of info on the Canberra War memorial website if you click on researching a person and enter his full name....Michael Angelo McCormack... ... There is a story of the flag he bought back from the war, it is on display at the War Memorial. Michael also bought back a Japanese sword which is still in the family. The flag and the sword were always a great talking points for all the family and always very closely guarded by Michael. In the information on the War Memorial web site there is a story about Jack Milgate who fought alongside Michael. Jack moved to Sydney and many years later moved back to the same area. Michael and Jack celebrated Anzac Day together for many years marching at Woodburn and then going by bus to the Evans Head RSL club for a get together with other diggers from the area. Ironically, Jack was admitted to the same aged care facility as Michael in Coraki and was in the room next to each other. They spent a lot of time reminiscing and Michael was very helpful in the care of Jack as his health failed. They both passed away within months if each other. The family would like to thank both Judy Tregidgo (Nee McCormack) and Michael McCormack (Junior), for sharing this story with us.

07.01.2022 Here in New South Wales Australia, we are very excited to announce the engagement of one of our lovely cousins, Kelly McCormack, from the Woodburn branch of the family. Kelly is the proud great granddaughter of Michael Angelo McCormack and Heather McCormack, Granddaughter of Michael George McCormack and Margaret Pope and daughter of Michael Douglas McCormack and Sheree McCormack. She was introduced to a local Woolgoolga boy, Steven Young by Stevens best mate. One of those ...lovely love stories. Steven moved away to study as a civil engineer and they did a year of the long distance relationship things before moving in together. In her words.....! Steve and I celebrated 6 years together on the third of August and got engaged on the 1st August at a deer sanctuary and for those who know me it is my favourite animal in the world. He kept the whole weekend a surprise ! We have traveled to 5 different countries and plan to do a lot more especially Ireland! The extended McCormack and McCormick family worldwide wish you both every happiness. We all hope to catch up with you once this rotten virus is over and we are free to travel around the world again.

07.01.2022 We have achieved a fantastic result as a community, social distancing and taking the COVID-19 precautions seriously. Sadly our friends in the USA have experienced 68, 286 deaths. Thats 6.1% of infected citizens dying. And sadly, Brazil has hit 7051 deaths, thats 7% of infected citizens. The sad observations are they are not practicing social distancing and not practicing community testing like we have done. So they are expecting their results to increase.

06.01.2022 AUSTRALIAN MCCORMACK COAT OF ARMS Here is The Australian McCormack Coat of Arms. Sam McCormack asked Carolynne Cooper if she could work with him to create an Australian version of the McCormack Coat of arms. You can see the top right referencing the Irish arms, then the cow for dairy and the sugar cane fields because of the district McCormacks moved to in Australia. ... It is then presented with the famous constellation The Southern Cross, that is symbolic of Australia, and embedded into The Australian flag. Thank you Carolynne Cooper

06.01.2022 A message from cousin Macushla in the States ! Adventures in Florida. We're living here in Holmes Beach Florida now, and since we want to vote, and voting requires registration, and registration requires a Florida Driver's License or ID - we went to get our Florida Licenses. ...Continue reading

06.01.2022 HAPPY MOTHERS DAY Today I want to say Happy Mothers Day, to all the wonderful women in our lives that we call Mum! And also to all the Dads who play both roles as the sole parent! ... #happymothersday #mothersday

05.01.2022 Around the world wherever you are, we would like to take this opportunity of wishing the extended McCormack/McCormick family a wonderful Christmas. A very happy New Year. And we pray that this damn virus will be over soon that we can all travel and visit one another again. We love what our cousin Marianne has been doing today, what a wonderful hobby she has.

05.01.2022 We love this photo of Macushla Wiedorn and her son Ian out for a walk leaving Paul to cook the dinner ( his go to meal of spaghetti Bolognese ). What time is dinner please ? And where was the photo taken please ?

04.01.2022 THE NENAGH COUNTRYSIDE Nenagh is an historic town situated in the North of County Tipperary. The main features of the area are the mighty River Shannon and the Arran mountains 462 meters high. About six miles to the north east of Nenagh is Domineer with its decaying tenth century Norman Castle on the shores of Lough Derg, the largest of the Shannon lakes feeding into the Shannon river. Martin and Bridget Kennedy regularly walked these shores as their daily exercise. About 7 ...Continue reading

04.01.2022 Love this photo of Greg Erin Wilson , Beautiful place. Where is it please for all us non Americans.

03.01.2022 To all our American cousins wherever you may be in the world celebrating today we wish you all a happy Thanksgiving day. May you get to spend it with the ones you love and get lots of hugs and kisses along the way.

03.01.2022 So proud to be related to Joel , love his work on TV.

03.01.2022 Sometimes the cousins may not be aware of something one of us have done in our community. Her is Chelseas story with Husband Rob https://youtu.be/TkvIb74D38g

02.01.2022 Thanks to Marisa Zullian a cousin in New South Wales Australia For these pearls of wisdom.

02.01.2022 What a wonderful way for this veteran to remember his brothers, his late wife and his mates on his th birthday. LEST WE FORGET

02.01.2022 Today we remember them. With restrictions in society today, we choose not to be silenced. Many in our street stood in our driveways, light a candle, and listened to the radio broadcast! "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; ... Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them." Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have given so much for our country. In particular, my thoughts are with our Great Great Uncle Thomas McCormack (Light Horseman WW1 North Africa / Gallipoli) , Cousin Michael A McCormack (WW2), Grandfather Keith Virtue (WW2 Kokoda), Cadet Core leader Major Clay McDonald (Vietnam) and gratitude to my brother Major Matthew McFarland CSC (retired- All conflicts 1994 - 2018).

02.01.2022 AUSTRALIAN HOME PLACE, 8 Part Series, Sam McCormack PART 6 - SETTLING IN WOODBURN RESULTED FROM COINCIDENCE Having heard of the availability of lots of good farming land on the Atherton tablelands, grandfather bought himself a ticket on the stagecoach and set off for North Queensland.... The first stopover was the Empire hotel at Woodburn on the Richmond River, some 65 miles north of the Clarence. After the evening meal he went for a stroll on the main street and noticed lots of people heading down the street and disappearing around the next corner. In true Irish spirit he said to himself There must be a fight on around there, so Ill go and look on". What he found was that the people were going to the Catholic church where a mission was being held. He decided to go in and was forced to walk up to the front pews to find a seat. After the devotion, he walked out of the church and was claimed by another Irishman who saw him walk to the front of the church. They had known each other on the Clarence. His friend was Barry Taylor who had moved to the Richmond some years before. After learning of grandfathers plans, Mr. Taylor convinced him to cancel his ticket and buy a farm on the Richmond. The farm he bought had a frontage to Rocky Mouth creek, also known as Tucombil creek. At about this time the Tucombil canal was being built from the creek to allow faster release of backed-up water during flood time through to the Evans River. It was here that Mr. Taylor was reputed to have promised to get grandfather a "driving" job. When he asked would he be driving a horse and dray, Taylor replied "No, driving a bloody wheelbarrow".

01.01.2022 A big thank you is extended to Margaret and John Drew for their hospitality in hosting the Australian McCormack family picnic today. Their generosity is legendary. We all had a good time. Sadly some could not attend because of the awful weather. And we don’t blame them for not wanting to drive in that. It was lovely having Joel and Lee Spreadborough there as we have not seen them as much as we like, their home base being Queensland. We hope to get even more attending next year.