Why our history matters

The answer is in 103 pages of the latest edition of The Glen Innes & District Historical Society Bulletin.

Editor Jenny Sloman felt that all the articles she had received illustrating the weaving of the fabric of the history of this area were worthy of publication.

From reminiscences to sport, businesses, the advent of electricity, life on isolated property Broadmeadows, the role women have played, to an extract from a World War 11 Honours Thesis.

Jenny's foreword says: "This year's collection is very interesting, reflecting a wide diversity of topics. We have stories of organisations that have had an important impact on our community for example, Rotary and Lionesses; about people whose impact has been equally if more quietly, important such as Beryl Clibborn and members of the Cox family; about defending New England from potential invasion during World War 11, about lady gardeners from the past.

"The emphasis needs to be on inclusive social history in preference to politics and economics because we need stories that best reflect all of society and all aspects of people's lives.

"Every story is important whether it be a snippet or a lengthy study because every story is a part of the whole."

For example, we can see vastly different aspects railway history.

The topics in the Table of Contents range from 'JJ Whyte's Tannery' by Maurice Tate; 'Early Migrants - Cooper family' - Jenny Sloman; Beryl's Story - Beryl Clibborn; 'Glen Innes Lioness Club' - Christine Stewart and Dianne Gallagher; 'Fuller's Hotels - Fay Biddle; 'Whitakers of Broadmeadows Station'.

Part Two, Norman Whitaker; 'Mentoring Lady Gardeners in the Colony'- Liz Chappell; Slit Earthen Trenches Wartime 1941-1942, New England Girls School Armidale' - Memories of Jeannie Ross Fraser and Margaret Turnbull; 'Defending Inland Australia - a Glen Innes perspective' Tim Reid; 'The Great Northern Railway'- Malcolm Wehr; 'Time to Shut the Gate? Remembering the Female Gatekeepers of the Glen Innes Severn District 1884-1992' Part One - Kiz McKenzie; '100th Anniversary of Rotary in Australia'- Jenny Sloman and Desmond Fitzgerald; 'Rugby League with Maurice - the 70s - Maurice Tate; 'Deepwater Australia Day 2020 - The Hall' - Jenny Sloman; 'Memories of Anzac Day at the Deepwater Hall' - Judith Cox; 'Electricity in the Glen Innes Severn Region'- Graham Wilson OAM.