My Home by Isabel Hope 29 July 1929
This is a descriptive entry from a young lady named Isabel Hope who went to the local school and lived along the Drilwarrina Creek. Isabel was the granddaughter of Mr & Mrs John Campbell of Eumungerie. “My weatherboard home which consists of four rooms and a small verandah is situated on the bank of a creek about twenty four miles from Dubbo. We have a small flower garden along the Eastern side and also a vegetable garden and small orchard combined on the other side. The creek with its tall gum trees on both sides runs along the edge of this garden so we have not far to carry water, but when the creek runs dry it is a poor look out for the vegetables. Further along towards the back, the fowl and geese sheds are built, they have a fairly large run so have plenty freedom, we have to shut everything up at night on account of the foxes! In the dining room we have a large brick fire place and plenty of big oak logs for fires in the winter time. Fires made of all wood give out a far greater heat than coal or Electric Radiators, any way you never see any of those things in the country. We have a large water spout all around the house to catch the water off the roof, and it runs into two galvanised tanks, but it rains so seldom in the country that very little is caught.” LEFT Snake Killed by Aged Widow Gilgandra Weekly 3 November 1954 |
Isobel May Hope, 7th Class visited the NSW Better Farming Train at Eumungerie, on the Coonamble line, on 19 August 1927. Her original essay was written in exquisite hand writing:
The train arrived at Eumungerie about seven o'clock on Friday morning. It consisted of about 16 carriages which were constructed into different departments. There was the department for the men and women, the domestic science, baby welfare, the office, the demonstrating carriages and the carriage used for the purpose of showing pictures at night. The train had a rather dull yellowish brown colour and was open from ten till nine. At night it was lit up by electricity both inside and out to enable people to see more clearly. Hot water was provided for luncheon purposes to visitors. Inside the first carriage we see a great display of soils taken from all parts of the state, showing the various kinds of soil suitable for wheat growing, also the good land from the bad. There were a few little experiment plots of wheat showing the value of the different manures. Then we see a great variety of the western and coastal chaff and potatoes, showing that the coastal products are greater and better than the western parts of NSW. A gentleman gave a lecture on fallowing and explaining the different processes of wheat. A little further is a model home surrounded by a beautiful lawn. The next carriage consists of various separators all shapes and sizes also the new butter factory at Coramba. They gave an idea of the amount of butter fat produced from a cow and the cause of milk going sour. A great variety of birds and their uses were shown, most of these were insectivorous birds such as bell-birds which feeds on small insects, the owl feeds on insects and mice, the pallid cuckoo feeds on hairy caterpillars and several other birds. These birds are the farmer's friends because they eat the insect pests. Then there are all the insect pests, on vines and pests to stock preserved under a glass case so anyone may investigate and study them. Some of the pests to stock are blowfly, march flies and nasal fly. Pests on vegetables are cabbage moth, weevils and vegetable moth. Some plant diseases are brown-rot, black-spot, flag-smut and various other kinds. In one corner of the train is a great arrangement of preserved fruits in jars and cases also some of the coastal citrus fruits. A very interesting chart showing all the different parts and names of a flower, when I saw it, it put me in remind [sic] of our nature study at school on the "life history of a pea". The next carriage had a big display of wool from the lowest quality to the best which is the softest and cleanest wool produced from the sheep. Then we see four different sheep in pens so we may criticise and compare them with others they were 'Border Leicester', 'English Leicester, 'Ryland, 'Romney Marsh' and 'Merino, the latter having the best wool. In the next carriage is an assortment of poultry farms and the diagram showing how a farm can be built, also incubators, chicken brooder, egg tester and the proper food to give fowls such as rolled oats, bran and hemp seed, then we see the different classes of eggs, those suitable for setting etc. In one end there was a few black Orpingtons and Leghorn hens and roosters in little pens. The next carriage has a wonderful plan of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and how it is worked and watered by means of drains flowing through the farms. Around the wall lovely pictures of Yanco and the river are seen. In the fancy work department we see a beautiful lot of fancy work, raffia work, dainty lolly bags, knitting, toddler's clothes, painted shawls, patterns etc. In the morning there was a special lecture for girls on baby welfare and health by a lady. I found her talk interesting and what she said was quite true. She showed and described the way to undress, bath and nurse baby also how to keep healthy. In the evening a cooking demonstration was shown, the lady showed how to cook various dishes such as fish cresols and the easy way in which hardly any fat is wasted, also blancmange, soup, dried apricots, and just commenced to make pastry when I was suddenly called away so I was unable to see the fish. At night pictures were shown, the most interesting picture to me was the Hawkesbury Agricultural College pictures. There was about 5,550 acres of land used for every purpose, wheat growing, cattle raising, poultry farms, sheep raising, pigs, etc. and every kind of sport for boys. I think the train was a great benefit to men and women and shows many interesting things, and I am quite sure it is appreciated by everybody. Read about Isobel's wedding to William Brooks Editorial. Australian Railway History Dec. 2013: p.20-21. by Neville Pollard & Suzanne Nagel |
Eumungerie Ball and a Sulky Accident 1916
The F. and S. carnival was held on Wednesday last, and was a pronounced success in every way. The programme was long and varied, and the events were well contested, there being good entries; consequently a good day's sport was provided, which reflected credit on the promoters. No doubt the carnival will become an annual affair. On the night of the carnival the Manchester Unity ball was held. The takings totalled £23, which is very gratifying to all concerned. An accident which might have been attended with more serious results befel Mr. and Mrs. Nagle on last Thursday morning. While driving home from the ball their horse shied, capsized the sulky and threw the occupants to the ground. Fortunately they escaped serious injury. The sulky was badly damaged. Mr. Capell has disposed of the good will of the Belmore Hotel, the purchaser being Mr. Fisher, of the Dubbo district, Mr. Fisher will not take over the hotel until October. In the meantlme the premises will be enlarged and other improvements will be carried out, making the Belmore a very up-to-date hotel. The rabbiting industry has been crushed at Eumungerie on account of the European war. The rabbit receiving depot was closed down lastweek. |
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