Australiana Pioneer Village - Wilburforce

Well, as I didn't seem to have enough things to do, I have joined up with another Volunteer Group - Friends of Australiana Pioneer Village.

This group, consisting mainly of local people living around Wilberforce. And for the information of those who have never heard of Wilberforce before, this was one of the towns which, together with Richmond, Windsor, Pitt Town and Castlereagh, was established as one of the five 'Macquarie Towns'. These towns were set up by Governor Macquarie in 1810 on higher ground after the region had experienced serious flooding. Macquarie named Wilberforce in honour of William Wilberforce, an anti-slavery campaigner of the 1700s. (And this year 2010 is the 200th anniversary of Governor Macquarie being appointed the 5th Governor of the colony that became Australia.

Back in 1961 a John Rose, a bachelor descendant of the original builder of Rose Cottage, sold his timber cottage to the hotel owner next door - Bill McLachlan. Bill with his wife Marie set about establishing a Pioneer Village. They acquired original buildings and transported them to this site. Rose Cottage (1811-16) is the oldest timber house in Australia still standing on its original site.

After the deaths of Bill and Marie the Village fell upon hard times, and eventually local Council tried to break it all up. However the locals fought back, and stopped the planned developments. Now after many years, the Village has been leased back to the Friends, and plans are under way to re-open the Village to the public in 2011.

And this is a perfect fit for my interest in early Australiana - so I joined. Here are some pictures of the original buildings and old machinery that we have, and some of the work involved by volunteers in getting it back into shape.

(Left) Another trailer load of leaves

(Right) The Oxboro Inn - actually not an original building but purpose built for some commercial reason. All our meetings are held here, and it is the centre of activities.

(Right) The lovely little chapel, which should be a great place for a wedding!!

(Left) The lunch break - out on the grass



(Left) Main Street - but with cars!!


(Right) Same with all Council workers - they need a broom!!




(Left) Clearing of leaves was a major task.


(Right) The Smithy works on the rejuvenation of the shop.



(Left) Main Street again - looking quite neat and tidy after some hard work.