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Editorial: Content :

4 KILLONGBUTTA: MEET LEIGH AND SAR AH THORNE

5 CASSINIA: RESTORING THE LAND

6 PL ATYPUS PALS: KIDS PHOTO COMPETITION WINNERS

7 FISH SURVEY: M ACQUARIE AND TURON RIVER SITES

8-11 MEMORIES: OF GOING TO A BUSH SCHOOL

12-13 FREEMANTLE: RFS FEATURE

By Captain, Phillipa Jarrett

14 LOCAL HISTORY: BACK TO FREEM ANTLE DAY

By Lisa Howarth

14 KELLOSHIEL CREEK REPAIRS

15 WIRES: M ATT TO THE RESCUE

16-17 ART FEATURE: BATHURST ART RETREAT

18 HERITAGE: FUNDING SAVES PRIOR CATTLE PAVILLION

STARTING UP a new seasonal magazine to connect the people who live along and off Freemantle Road has been a passion of mine for some time since moving to my property at Killongbutta.

The COVID years of isolation provided a sharp focus of how important it is to feel connected to a community with local Facebook groups blossoming throughout this period.

Facebook can’t replace the permanency of a publication about the stories of the people who live and have lived in this region, while acknowledging the traditional owners of this Wiradjuri countr y that follows the Wambool “winding river”

I’ve been travelling this road for more than 70 years. It would take an hour to drive into town on a dusty road with sharp corners and dangerous bends After crossing Kings Creek, our mother would speed up, then slow down on the three large humps of the straight to make our tummies rise.

I’d look out the window of the FJ Holden and dream of building my house on the side of a cliff overlooking the west

It took 10 years as an owner builder to fulfil this dream with the help of local builder, Lindsay Russell, who finished it in 2010 I moved here just before COVID to live on a steep hill with easterly views where I write, publish and produce podcasts.

Local historian, Jim Buchan, found this area just as fascinating, spending most of his early retirement years researching old records and newspaper articles written about the region. His book Freemantle via Bathurst, first published in 2001, provides a histor y of the Freemantle district and the pioneering families from the 1820s to the 1960s. I am forever grateful to Jim whose collection of newspaper articles provides the research for my features

This community magazine wouldn’t have got off the ground without the encouragement of Sarah and Leigh Thorne, sponsorship from Cassinia and the support of Phillipa Jarrett, Captain of the Freemantle Volunteer RFS.

We are now working on the winter issue which profiles one of our pioneer families with a focus on agriculture. If you would like to contribute or advertise please contact me.

- Marje Prior, Managing Editor

Published by On The Stone

Managing Editor: Marje Prior

Writer and Designer: Marje Prior

Contributors: Cassinia, Phillipa Jarrett, and Lisa Howarth

Proof readers: Colin and Niveska Hogg

Advertising: request our advertising rates sheet and deadlines

Postal Address: PO Box 8, Bathurst NSW 2795

Email: connections@onthestone.com.au

Phone: 02 6337 4131

Website: w w w.onthestone.com.au

Facebook: Freemantle Road Connections