Canowindra Historical Society seeking “pioneer families”

honours the families residing here before Federation in 1901 and so records their connections to today’s citizens.

“It is remarkable how often the Society is contacted by people seeking information on family history,” President of the Canowindra Historical Society, Dr Jennifer Wythes, said. “So, we really appreciate receiving information about our local pioneers and their descendants.”

The early European settlers came mainly from England, Ireland or Scotland – both as free migrants and ex-convicts, or their descendants. Some were from more distant parts of the world.

The Pioneer Wall was designed by the Canowindra local, Pamela Brown. Construction of the wall was undertaken by master craftsman bricklayer, the late Bill Scheer. The gates and fence were fabricated by Don Lawrence. The Pioneer Wall was deliberately placed on the street side of the gates and fence so that they can be inspected at any time.

“The whole idea was just so there’d be a public recognition of families who’d been in the district for a good long while,” Mr Berkeley said. When asked about stories of the local families who currently sit immortalised upon the wall, he couldn’t help but laugh: “There’s hundreds!” he said. “Unfortunately I don’t have any offhand though, I’m afraid.”

But for those interested the Canowindra Historical Society has plenty of information up on their website, and they plan to republish the “Pioneer Register” in the next year.

There is ample space on the wall for additional plaques and the Canowindra Historical Society would welcome more pioneer families. If you are interested, please contact the museum at canowindrahistorical@gmail.com with details as soon as possible, with final details by Monday, June 26.

For those interested in having a look at the wall, it stands directly out the front of the Canowindra Museum.

“Anybody can inspect the wall at any time, we don’t have it behind a fence or anything,” Mr Berkeley said.