Quirindi & District Historical Society in Quirindi, New South Wales | History Museum

Quirindi & District Historical Society

Locality: Quirindi, New South Wales

Phone: +61 425 272 289

Address: 44 Station Street 2343 Quirindi, NSW, Australia

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24.01.2022 Quirindi Methodist Church A Methodist Church had been planned for a site in Fitzroy Street, but was revoked in favour of a site in Henry Street in 1878, where the Building still stands today. William Price was the first owner of this allotment, having purchased it on the 17th May 1876. The Church’s foundation stone was laid on the 4th July 1882. Though the Building is no longer used for church services, it is the oldest and only original Church Building remaining in Quirind...i and has the honour of being the first brick Church in the town. Built by Thomas Stafford at a cost of six hundred and twenty five pounds, the bricks were sourced from Price’s Brickworks. In 1908, Quirindi and Murrurundi became separate Methodist Parishes. The Methodist Central Hall was built next to the Church in 1911. Elmswood School and Kindergarten was established in 1912, utilising the supper room of the Central Hall and continued to the end of 1922. A brick residence, the Methodist Parsonage was also built in Henry Street for the use of the Minister. In 1977, the Uniting Church in Australia was formed, combining the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches. Since that time, church services have been held in the former Presbyterian Church, the larger Munro Memorial Church on the corner of Hill and Pryor Streets. The Central Hall was moved in 1977 and relocated behind Pollock Hall in North Avenue. The Methodist Church Building and grounds became available for the establishment of the Elmswood Hostel. The Methodist Church donated their land and the Building to Quirindi Retirement Homes Ltd, on the stipulation that these resources would be used for age care. The former Church Building was used initially as a dining room for the Elmswood residents and was later refurbished as the Whitten Room, in memory of the Whitten Family, devoted members of the Methodist Church. This information has been provided with reference to the books written by Dorothy Durrant on the history of Quirindi.

24.01.2022 The Quirindi Historical Cottage was opened by TV News reader Ross Symonds on 26th April 1970. Just over 50 years ago. Ross Symonds flew into town on the just op...ened new airline service. It was also combined with a huge street parade that included the celebration of the 200 year anniversary of Captain Cook landing at Sydney. See more

24.01.2022 SPANISH FLU EPIDEMIC HITS QUIRINDI 1919 Following the First World War a widespread Pneumonic Influenza outbreak, commonly known as Spanish Flu, affected the entire world, reaching Quirindi in early 1919. A letter was received by Quirindi Municipal Council from the office of the Director General of Public Health in Sydney in regard to the threatened outbreak of pneumonic influenza, advising what action should be taken to guard against spread of the disease in the district. ...Continue reading

23.01.2022 EARLY DAYS OF WHITTAKER STREET Whittaker Street, Quirindi was named after Charles Whittaker, licensee of Whittaker’s Hotel in Nelson Street from 1878 to 1889. It was created as a link road from Nelson Street to George Street, after construction of the bridge over Quirindi Creek in 1872. Prior to this the area was shown on the town plan as part of a reserve. Allotments on the southern side were sold in a Government Sale on December 20 1889, with those on the northern side ...Continue reading

23.01.2022 Arrival of the First Train at Quirindi Railway Station The Great Northern Railway extension from Murrurundi to Quirindi was opened to public traffic on August 13, 1877. Murrurundi Station was opened in April 1872, with a contract granted for extension to Tamworth in April 1874. There was considerable criticism of the contractor, Mr William Wakefield for the time taken to construct the first 24 miles (38.6 km) from Murrurundi to Quirindi, however it was conceded that it was a... difficult stretch with great drawbacks in every respect which included construction of a 528 yards (approx. 482 metres) long tunnel and heavy cuttings through the Liverpool Range. The official opening ceremony occurred on arrival of the mail train at 2.05 pm, transporting public passengers from Murrurundi. The official party, including Mr John Rae, Commissioner for Railways and other railway officials, had travelled to Quirindi earlier in the day on a specially scheduled train. Quirindi had declared a public holiday, with a large group of around 1,500 people carrying flags and cheering the arrival of the train. Mr Rae declared the line open. The opening ceremony was followed by a banquet, held in the goods shed of the new station. C P Gruggen was Chairman of the local committee, with G A Single as Vice Chair and Mr C B Street (local chemist) as Secretary. The shed was tastefully decorated with evergreens and flags, and a plentiful supply of creature comforts was upon the tables. There were many celebratory toasts and responses. The festivities concluded at 5 o’clock in time for the return train to Murrurundi, then Newcastle where the steamer for Sydney will wait for it. A number of visitors remained for the evening ball which was also held in the goods shed. The first bricks in the foundation of the combined railway station and residence were laid on September 13, 1876 with Price’s Brickworks awarded the building contract. The first Station Master at Quirindi was James John Robertson. Information sources: Quirindi in the 19th Century How a Town Began, by Dorothy Durrant; Newspaper articles from Maitland Mercury and The Illustrated Sydney News. See more

21.01.2022 Castle Mountain Creamery From the early days of settlement in the Quirindi district, sheep and cattle were a prominent means of making a living on the land, especially for the occupiers of the larger land holdings. By 1890 many small farms were also established in the district, including the Quipolly, Castle Mountain, Lower Jacob, Wallabadah, Kangaroo Flat and Gaspard areas, ranging in size from forty acres to four hundred acres. Larger landholders at that time were T. Murp...Continue reading

20.01.2022 St. Brigid’s Catholic Church Before the availability of a Church building, services were held in private homes and it was not until 1880, that the Church reserve in Thomas Street was used. In 1888 Father Clark became the first resident priest in Quirindi. Father Clark’s parish included Wallabadah, Kangaroo Creek, Doughboy Hollow, Warrah, Blackville and Yarraman. The first Catholic Church was a tiny wooden building 18ft by 12ft, which was thought to have been extended or rep...laced with another building, larger in dimension, approximately 30ft by 20ft. The building also served as a school. There was much building activity in the 1890’s, with the building of the Presbytery in 1894 in the church grounds, later used as the Church Hall. In 1895 the brick Convent building was erected. On the 20th March 1898 the foundation stone was laid for the first St. Brigid’s Church. William Price was contracted to supply the locally made bricks and the building was designed by Alexander Lees. Erected next to the old wooden Church, the much bigger Church could provide seating for 350 people. The altar was transferred from the old Church and some beautiful stained glass windows were also donated from parishioners and the pupils of St. Joseph’s School. St. Brigid’s was officially opened by Bishop Torreggiani on Sunday 4th September 1898. A brick school building opened in the Convent grounds in April 1899, largely achieved through the dedication of the Sisters of St. Josephs and the congregation. Further development included a new Bell Tower in 1903, replacing the old one under the trees, as well additions to the Presbytery in 1904. The Church was also equipped with acetylene gas in 1906. In 1912, a tennis court was erected on the corner of Hill and Thomas streets. The present Presbytery was built in 1922. During the depression, plans were on hold to replace St. Brigid’s Church with a new one to meet the needs of the parishioners. It was in 1934, that plans were finalised for the new building. The foundation stone was laid on the 17th March 1935 and the building work was completed in six months. The first St. Brigid’s Church was demolished, however the stained glass windows and other appointments were utilised in the new St. Brigid’s Church.

20.01.2022 Quirindi CWA will celebrate 95 years in September 2020. Watch this space. A brief snapshot of the past can be seen in the attached photos. In our archives is a very interesting booklet, 'Quirindi CWA 70 Years' presented to QDHS by Quirindi CWA on September 27, 1995, comprising 40 odd pages of typed history, news clippings and photographs.

15.01.2022 Louis Whittle’s Chemist Shop at 112-114 George Street, Quirindi

14.01.2022 Collarene Quirindi has retained quite a few impressive commercial buildings, reflecting the development of the town, as well as some lovely historic houses, which capture a time of optimism and progress as the township grew. Collarene, a cement rendered home, giving the appearance of stone was built in 1893 for the Munro family, stands in a prominent position on top of a hill overlooking the town, and was part of the Collarene Estate. Mr Hugh Munro was a great supporter of c...auses to further the development of the town, with a special interest in Churches and Schools. Mr Munro passed away in 1901, however ‘Collarene was retained by the family until 1954. In the 1950s five acres was compulsorily required for education purposes. The Education department had intended to develop the area for a new High School, but as there was a greater need for a new Primary School at the time, Quirindi Primary School was built on part of the former Collarene Estate in 1956. For a period of time Collarene fell into a state of disrepair, and the cast iron lacework on the verandah and the large window shutters were removed. It was decided to convert the building into flats for teacher accommodation. After the flats were vacant for several years, work began in 1994 to renovate the building. Collarene Homestead was beautifully restored to serve as the Administration Centre for Quirindi Primary School. It seems appropriate that Collarene has been utilised in support of education, given that Mr Hugh Munro had a special interest in advancing educational facilities in the town. Collarene Road, Munro and Cromarty Streets were part of the Collarene Estate and in the early 1950s several Housing Commission homes were built on land resumed from the former Munro property.C

12.01.2022 The Selden Buildings William Frederick Selden, an industrious businessman who contributed to the commercial development of Quirindi. His early life was spent in the Maitland district, where he learnt his trade as a saddle and harness maker. In 1868, he commenced a saddlery business in Murrurundi. His brother-in law William Northcott worked with him in the business. Following on from the saddlery business, they became produce merchants and commission agents and around the t...ime of the expansion of the railway to Quirindi, purchased two blocks of land in George Street, as tenants in common. In 1877 they advertised that they had moved their business from next to the Post Office (in Loder Street) to a new and commodious premises erected by them, near the railway station. Their store stocked a wide range of products, including woolpacks, sheep shears, ironmongery, earthen and glassware, galvanised iron and wire, hay, corn, chaff, as well as potatoes, teas, sugars, flours and drapery. In 1880, William Northcott transferred his share of the George Street blocks to William Selden, moving to Lismore to establish his own saddlery business. William Selden continued as a storekeeper, also advertising in 1896 as a wholesale and retail saddler, later selling the business to Noakes Bros. William Selden was an active member of the Progress Association, formed in 1884, which worked to have Quirindi gazetted as a town and to have a municipal council elected in 1890, as well as improvement to the Quirindi streets. He was one of the trustees for the Quirindi Park on the corner of Henry and Rose Streets in 1895. In 1895, William Selden invested in an allotment from the Grehan Estate, between the Australian Joint Stock Bank and C.S. Rowntree’s Store (now occupied by Furniture one), 180-188 George Street, named the Selden Buildings. A set of five single-storey shops, thought to have been built in 1897, as the shops were being tenanted by 1898. The owners in the 1920s made two of the shops into one larger one, which is now occupied by the Quirindi Newsagency. There have been numerous tenants in the Selden Buildings over the years, including Henry Savage, tailor (and father of Ellen Savage, nursing sister who survived the sinking of the hospital ship Centaur off the coast of Brisbane in May, 1943), Hallinan’s clothing store, Ham & Gifford, Cameron’s Grocery Minit Market, Percy Digby Cox, solicitor (and former Quirindi Mayor), Angus Black Butchery, later operated by Bill Finch, followed by Labraco to name just a few. The Selden Buildings were restored in 1995, still serving the community, and preserving the history and commercial development of Quirindi. William Selden moved to Sydney, passing away in 1909.

12.01.2022 Castle Mountain Butter Factory. Manager Mr Joe Charles is on left. Mr E McLean, an early selector at Castle Mountain, stands near cart.

10.01.2022 The Australian Joint Stock Bank The 1880s, a time when important public Buildings were built in Quirindi, including the original Court House in 1883, Post Office in 1884 and the School of Arts Building in 1888. There was considerable commercial activity as well, with the presence of private Banks to the streetscape. The Australian Joint Stock Bank was the second private Bank in Quirindi, erecting an impressive two-storey Bank building and residence on the corner of George a...nd Henry streets in 1890. The A.J.S. Bank commenced business in Quirindi on the 17th September 1887 in rented premises until the availability of their new building. The architect was John Sulman and building contractors were Duncan and Cruickshank. The financial crisis in 1893 caused a rush on the Banks by depositors wishing to remove their money. In Quirindi the A.J.S. Bank closed its doors pending reconstruction and other Banks refused to cash A.J.S. bank notes. When commodity prices improved, confidence slowly returned, though impacted by bad seasons and high unemployment. With the new century approaching, many of the prominent town buildings received a makeover. The A.J.S. Building was redecorated in 1899 in fashionable colours of the time. The woodwork painted in greenish and stone colours, white, Indian red and buff. In 1910, the A.J.S. Bank amalgamated with the Australian Bank of Commerce. During the depression the Bank of New South Wales amalgamated with the Australian Bank of Commerce. Although the Bank of New South Wales had its own Bank Building, built in 1908 on the corner of Station and Pryor streets, the decision was made to use the Building on the corner of George and Henry streets. Starting out in 1890 as the Australian Joint Stock Bank, became the Australian Bank of Commerce in 1910, closed during the depression, reopened as the Bank of New South Wales in 1932, before being renamed as Westpac in 1982. The former Bank of New South Wales Building became the Rural Bank in 1934 up until 1982, though the name changed to the State Bank in 1981. The State Bank moved to new premises in George street in 1982, ending the banking association for the Building. The former Bank Building has also been home as administration offices for the Quirindi College of TAFE, the Nungaroo Land Council and more recently Bettington Rural. Information source, publications written by Dorothy Durrant Quirindi in the 19th Century How A Town Began and Quirindi 1919 1939 Between the World Wars.

10.01.2022 THEN AND NOW ST ALBAN’S CHURCH, QUIRINDI The extension of the railway to Quirindi in 1877, provided a boost for the town, both in business enterprises and population increase. In 1882, the Anglican Parish of Quirindi was created, separating from the Gunnedah Parish. The first church service was held on 19th November 1882 in the Union Church, which was located on the eastern side of the railway line, opposite William Street. Whittaker’s Hall, near the western side of the p...resent Whittaker Street Bridge was also used for church services, if the Union Church was unavailable. Construction of the first Anglican Church began in 1883, a wooden structure, which was dedicated on 31st January 1886. After a period of time it was realised that the Church Building would require major repairs and the Church Parochial Council decided to investigate the possibility of erecting a new Church. A building fund was established to finance the new St Albans in 1910. During the period of the First World War, plans were on hold, but continued in earnest at the end of the war. In 1922, plans were produced for the new Church, estimated to cost 5,000 pounds with furniture and fencing. It had been decided that the new Building would be built on the corner site of Henry and Hill Streets. Church services continued to be held in the original building up until the new St Albans was completed in 1925. In 1911, a tender of 160 pounds was received for the removal and renovation of the wooden Church. In January, 1914 the Church land was subdivided for the removal of the Church to the site where the Anglican Hall now stands. Records indicate that from 1915, Church services were held at this site. The old Building, which was remodelled as Parish Hall was condemned in 1938. World War 2 delayed the building of a new Parish Hall, but in 1953 it came to fruition. The new St Alban’s Church was built with the provision of 150,000 bricks supplied by Price Bros, and has numerous beautiful Memorials donated by families from Quirindi and district. Including stained glass windows in the Sanctuary, in memory of Mr Charles Percy Thomas. The Altar, which was part of the original Church, in memory of Private J.H.C Porter, who was killed at Pozieres in 1916. The foundation stone was laid on the 2nd July, 1924 and dedication of the new Building occurred on the 11th March 1925, attend by 600 people.

10.01.2022 QUIRINDI’S FIRST CHEMISTS Mr C B Street is credited as the owner of the first chemist shop in Quirindi in 1877, located south of what is now the Heritage Motel. Charles Allen, a registered Pharmaceutical Associate formerly of Sydney, was appointed Manager. The business offered unadulterated drugs and chemicals as well as druggist’s sundries, trusses, patent medicines, dietetic and toilet requisites, stationery, fancy goods, and fresh and reliable garden seeds. Mr Str...Continue reading

09.01.2022 QUIRINDI FLOOD OCTOBER 8, 1889 The flood on October 8, 1889 is reported as being the worst flood the town had ever seen and the highest flood for 20 years. 349 points (123 mm) of rain had fallen in the district over two days. This flood took the town by surprise as neither Quirindi Creek nor Jacob and Joseph Creek was running high. Quirindi Creek in a few hours came down with a great rush bursting its banks at the bridge on the Wallabadah Road and then spreading ove...r the flat portion of town between the two creeks. 5 to 6 inches (152.4 mm) of rain is stated to have fallen in the Wallabadah Ranges over a few hours. It was around 10 o’clock on Sunday night when Quirindi Creek overflowed, coming over in a body. Families left their houses as the water entered, reaching 18 inches (45.7 cm) in some buildings. Most had been asleep at the time. Water swept down every street on the flat up to 4 feet (1.2 metres) deep, with strong currents along Henry Street as residents made their way to higher ground at George Street. The whole of the eastern end of town quickly became a lake. Over a foot (30.4 cm) of mud was left in some buildings. Helpers were despatched to assist women, children and the elderly to safety. Many of the rescuers were on horseback, despite the danger presented by the floodwaters. No lives were lost, however two dogs and many fowls were reportedly drowned. Fortunately, the rain had stopped by the time the creek broke its banks. The water receded around midnight after just a few hours, with much of it overflowing into Jacob and Joseph Creek. Damage could have been much more serious had the rain not ceased. Gardens were ruined and fences wrecked but fortunately there was no major damage to buildings. Henry Street was torn up and the bridge approaches destroyed at the Wallabadah end of town. The bridge itself was severely damaged. Five miles (8 km) out of Quirindi, the bridge at Kangaroo Creek was almost entirely washed away. A large acreage of wheat crops throughout the district was lost, damage suffered to the rail line between 7 Mile (Braefield) and Willow Tree and serious damage to many bridges, culverts and roadways. No photos could be located for the 1889 flood. The February 1955 flood is considered the worst experienced by Quirindi. Photo taken from Campbell Street, looking down Henry Street. Campbell Street now: Campbell Street 2020. Photo taken by Geoffrey Barwick. See more

09.01.2022 ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ASCENSION, WALLABADAH The Church of England land at Wallabadah on the corner of Victor and Maria Streets, was dedicated in January 1865. The first Church on the site was a slab building, thought to have been erected around the same time. Canon Sowter, who came to the Quirindi Parish in 1884 commenced the present stone church to replace the slab building. Construction was completed in 1896, with the opening service performed on Ascension Day, marking the...Continue reading

08.01.2022 Quirindi The early days of development - Cullens Corner Beginning as a squatter’s camp near a good waterhole in 1829, by 1901 a population of 1,676 people had made Quirindi their home. As the population increased, so came service industries and the families who established businesses in the town. In Station Street, the Cullen brothers, William and Charles established Cullen’s’ Bros’ Federal Coach Factory, located on the corner of Abbott Street, was known locally as Cullen...’s’ Corner. The Quirindi RSL Club now stands on this site. The Cullen family were very well known, coming to Quirindi around the same time as the railway arrived in the town. In 1902, it was advertised that the Coach Factory had been operating in Quirindi for 20 years. The Cullen brothers manufactured the majority of sulkies, spring carts etc. seen around the district, continuing to do so, despite the increasing emergence of the motor car. Though the Cullen partnership ended around 1900, William Cullen continued to advertise the Federal Coach Factory until he sold the business to Les Turner in 1916, after more than 30 years in Quirindi. L.H. Turner & Co. were Coachbuilders and Undertakers in the town. Charles Cullen stayed in Quirindi, setting up a Coach making works on the corner of Rose and Henry Streets, opposite the Imperial Hotel. In June, 1902 he acquired a George Street workshop, leasing part of a building on the southern side of the Commercial Hotel, and in 1903 moved to Wallabadah continuing his enterprise there. The information has been provided by Quirindi & District Historical Society, with reference to the publication written by Dorothy Durrant Quirindi in the 19th Century How A Town Began.

07.01.2022 The Tebbutt name is one associated with the early commercial development of Quirindi. J.L. Tebbutt owned a Flour Mill in Murrurundi, before moving to Quirindi to set up a Store in Loder Street in 1874. With the wheat industry growing quickly in the district, he saw the potential for a Flour Mill in the town, as grain had to be transported to the closest Mill at Murrurundi for milling. In 1875, J.L. Tebbutt & Sons built a two storey Mill in Fortune Street, across from thei...r Store in Loder Street. The official opening took place on the Prince of Wales’ birthday, 9th November 1875. The Mill was described as a fine brick building, an up-to-date stone Mill, typical of the period. The bricks in the building were manufactured by William Price and was a major contract for him at that time. With a good water supply and strong support from the farmers of the district, the business was very successful. Being an enterprising businessman and wishing to increase patronage, J.L. Tebbutt introduced a trophy to be awarded to the farmer who grew the best bag of wheat, within fifteen miles (24 kilometres) radius of the Mill. The trophy, a silver Cup was valued at ten pounds. The silver Cup is now housed at the Quirindi & District Historical Cottage. In 1877, J.L. Tebbutt built a Store next to the Terminus Hotel, a prominent location in close proximity to the Railway. He also established a Store in Wallabadah in 1878. In 1895, he sold the Flour Mill to Thomas Neden, who refurbished the Mill and held a grand reopening of the Darlington Patent Roller Flour Mills on the 15th January 1896. Sadly the Flour Mill burnt down in 1905, a fate suffered by numerous businesses in the early days of the towns’ development.

06.01.2022 The Preston Colliery Werris Creek The Werris Creek Colliery, developed by the Preston Iron Coal & Coke Company was located around 3 kilometres south of the town and is now part of the present day Werris Creek (Whitehaven Mine). In 1925, at a spot where an outcrop of coal was visible, a tunnel was driven 45 metres into the ground, at a slope of 60 degrees, striking a 3 & 1/2 metre seam of good quality coal. This marked the beginning of the Werris Creek Colliery, tapping int...o the rich reserves of an isolated basin of coal to the south of the township. The main tunnel of the Mine extended to a length of 366 metres from the entry point, running west and had bi-lateral tunnels branching off, especially to the north. In the early days of the Colliery, the work was very labour intensive, the coal being loaded into skips by shovel and wheeled to where pit ponies then hauled the load to a location where it could be brought to the surface by steel cables. This method usually produced an average of 35 to 40 tonnes daily. With the availability of mechanical loaders production increased to around 100 tonnes a day. As the Colliery developed, a branch railway line was built from the Mine to the NSW Government Railways main line and was completed in 1929. The Colliery branch line was 825 metres in length and crossed the Werris Creek- Quirindi road, climbing the grade up to the Colliery. Around 20,000 tonnes coal was mined annually, until the early 1950’s when production dropped to around 11,000 tonnes. The large coal was sold to the NSW Government Railway Department to fuel the steam Locomotives. Much of the coal was railed to and used at Werris Creek Locomotive Depot. The small coal was railed to Tamworth for the local Power Station. Small amounts of coal were used locally for domestic purposes, being delivered by motor vehicles. During 1937, Mr I.H. Doc Thomas was appointed as manager of the Colliery, which was owned by members of the Thomas family. Mr Thomas continued in this role until the closure of the Mine. The Mine was not immune to industrial problems, with a major dispute in 1940 bringing the coal industry to a standstill. Though impacted by the strike, the Werris Creek Colliery guaranteed to continue coal supply to Tamworth Municipal Council for electricity supply, as well as Tamworth and Quirindi Hospitals. With the phasing out of steam trains and the dieselisation of the rail network in the 1960’s, demand for coal dwindled. With the lack of replacement markets, the Colliery became unviable and closed in 1963. The Preston Colliery was small in comparison with other Collieries in NSW, but is estimated to have produced over one million tonnes of high grade coal during operation. The enterprise was an important contributor to the economy of Werris Creek, and provided employment for more than 50 men over the life of the Mine.

04.01.2022 Jane Easy provided this article - her father is Colin, aged 92

01.01.2022 1966. Thanks to the Quirindi Historical Society.