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.

Father's Day at School

Father's Day is celebrated round most of the world, and Puma Marca is no exception. The fathers come in, and are given a number of performances by their children, then served a lunch (this time barbequed chicken cooked in our own bread oven! - I was told that our bread oven has cooked more chicken than bread at this stage!!) Here are some photos of our celebration this year.

(Left - two of our teachers check out the welcome board)
(Right - meanwhile the children start to carry the chairs out to the playground)

(Left - the lunch time chicken is prepared)

(Right - our "master" chef is on hand to place the chicken)

(Left - the potatoes are also cooked to provide a balanced meal - did you know that Peru is the home of the potato and has several thousand varieties!)




(Left - the children are assembled)

(Right - the lunch is almost ready)






(Left - the grade leaders carry the national flag to the flog pole for the ceremonious raising)

(Right - with one of the teachers watching the children start the ceremonies with some songs praising fathers)


(Left - Maz, Stefan and Leesa mind a small attendee)

(Right - the fathers attending are grouped)




(Left and Right - the children perform some of their dances - this was interesting in that most of the girls were wearing plastic dresses - which we had seen them colouring in a few days earlier)


(Right - our gardener Ray watches)

(Left - the dancing)

(Left - there were various dances performed)

(Right - our group, along with the fathers sitting down to our lunch)




(Left - some of the dancers - note the items used to adorn the dress - CD discs, and plastic drink bottles painted with colours)

(Right - some of the dancers - note the plastic dresses painted)


(Left - some more dancing)


(Left - then time to go home - but not enough room for Stefan, so he has to travel in the rear of the vehicle!!)

Walking Home from School

Our school is aout a 30 minute bump up the gravel road from Cusco - and I do mean UP. The fit ones, or those training for the Inca or other trails, will make the walk up to the school.

(Left - underneath the washing is corn drying in the sun)

(Right - there always seems to be a wash day at Puma Marca - but they do make an effort to keep the clothes clean - I notice it at school)

However, considering my age and level of fitness I felt that a more practical attitude is to walk DOWN!! This I did several times on this trip. It takes around and hour and a half, and is quite a good opportunity to see the country side and also avoid the bumps.

(Left - one of the adobe brick houses and the view out over the valley)
(Right - all sorts of transport come over the main street - pedestrians, taxis and the occasional animal)

Here are some of the views, along with an occasional comment.

(Left - there is a lot of pedestrian traffic - not a lot of money for running round in cars)

(Right - we passed a lovely wheat field, and Liz wanted a photographic masterpiece - she is NOT bowing to me)

(Left - and here is the lovely wheat field)

(Right - the road back down to Cusco runs on one side of this deep valley



(Left - Liz and Maz give the thumbs up - we must be getting near the end of the walk)


(Right - a group of children sit beside the road with their pets around)


(Left - Liz wants a snap of the kids!)


(Right - Iwas intrigued with some of the trade shops in Cusco. They generally have all their equipment inside their shop, and all the stock out in the street. The doors of the shop are opened to allow access to the processing - as with this lumber shop)
(Left - and here is the inside of the timber workshop, with all its equipment)




(Right - and here is the final turn into Cusco streets - ane we are quite dusty!)








(Left - of all places to see this - in Cusco!! Anyway Maz had her eye on it, but couldn't work out how to buy it or even get it home!! It will probably still be there when I hope to go back again in 2012)





(Left - we arrive back at our house)