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Saturday 15th August 2026
The guest speaker was Beverley Blennerhassett and her topic was "Modern Day Shipwrecks" and particularly the disaster of the Costa Concordia shipwreck occurred on January 13, 2012
Watch her presentation below.
Saturday 18th July 2026 - CAV AGM
The president gave his report along with the Finacial Report and reports from Ballarat and Geelong.
An election of Office bearers for 2026-7 was conducted and the following appointments made.
President - Ron Hawken, Vice-President - David Reid, Treasurer - Max Procter
Members - Robyn Coates, Evelyn Jones, Clive Maynard, Neil Thomas (Geelong Rep.), John Trungove
The reports can be read in the CAV August Newsletter by Clicking here.
Following the AGM Collin Roberts, a Cornish Wrestling aficionado presented the following presentation.
Saturday 13th June 2026 - Here we had an evening Zoom with a speaker in the UK.
Simon Davies spoke about the people and place software, WeAre.xyz, showing actual examples of user created stories of families and places. An insight into what can be done to preserve local history.
( https://www.weare.xyz/ )June saw an evening Zoom with a speaker in the UK.
Simon Davies spoke about the people and place software, WeAre.xyz, showing actual examples of user created stories of families and places. An insight into what can be done to preserve local history.
( https://www.weare.xyz/ )
June Saturday 16th May the meeting was held in person at Darebin North West Uniting Church. The topic was "Show and Tell" and members brought treasured items relating to their Cornish heritage to talk about and share.
On Saturday 18th April 2026
The CAV members met via Zoom to hear Clive Maynard’s presentation titled, “Redruth and Porthtowan, A retrospective (and personal) view”.
Topics included "Redruth the Town", "Murdoch House", "The Tin Miner Statue and the Tinner hounds", "Carn Brea", "Boxing Day Rugby", "Gwennap Pit", "Porthtowan", "The Porthtowan Surf Life Saving Club" A complete report on Clive's presentation can be read on pages 7 to 9 of the May Newsletter. Click Here to read the May Newsletter.
The February meeting was held on Zoom and saw presentations on the Cornish Villages of Sancreed (Penny McGuire-White), Warleggan (Robyn Coates) Sennen (Marjory Barrett) and St Teath (David Reid)
Christmas Luncheon - Saturday 13th December 2025
The final activity for CAV members was a Christmas Luncheon at Darebin NW Uniting Church, where members gathered for a shared lunch. It was wonderful to see people in person rather than on a screen and there was lots of chatter.
A pictorial quiz tested people’s memories of visits to Cornwall in person or through newsletters.
November Activity - 19th November 2025 - Visit to St Erth in Blackwood Victoria
Eighteen Cornish Association members, from Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, enjoyed the visit to St Erth Gardens, the plant nursery and also their wonderful cafe.
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A couple of disadvantages were that there were quite a few steps without handrails and the gate which would have enabled better access for many was locked.
The Garden of st Erth was created by Tommy and Penny Garnett in the late 1960s.
Tommy was a passionate and knowledgeable plantsman, naturalist and educator, as well as one of Australia's most stimulating and provocative garden writers, penning his weekly column, 'From the Country', in the Age newspaper for many years.
For a full report see the CAV February 2026 Melbourne Newsletter
Saturday 11th October - CAV Visit to Geelong
Members from Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne met at the Geelong East Uniting Church for a wonderful day of Geelong Cornish History.
| After a mouth watering
morning tea, we ventured to Point Henry
where Neil Thomas, Chairperson of the
Geelong Branch, gave us an insight into
the importance of Point Henry. We returned to the Church’s Bay Room for lunch provided by the Geelong group. With our tummies replenished, we drove into Geelong CBD, where parking was in short supply near the Old Customs House. Many chose to walk to the Town Hall and Art Gallery and some energetic members even walked to Wesley Church a few more blocks away. At each place, Neil provided us with some well prepared information. We then returned to the Geelong Church for afternoon tea, after a wonderful day. Special thanks to Neil Thomas for organizing the event and for all the information bout the sites we visited and to the Geelong members for their generous hospitality. For a fullr report see the CAV November 2025 Melbourne Newsletter |
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Saturday 24th September 2025 - Judy Wright Presenting "Hayle- The Town that Changed the World"
Watch the video here:
Saturday 16th August 2025 - CAV AGM, Followed by a presentation by Brian Rollason titled "The Fox Family of Falmouth.
A full report of the AGM will appear in the next CAV Newsletter but the following changes should be noted:
President - Ron Hawken
Secretary - Brian Rollason.
Here you can watch the presentation "The Fox Family of Falmouth"
Saturday 18th July 2025
This was advertised as the CAV AGM but in fact the AGM was postponed until August and instead members gathered in West Preston wo watch a film set in Cornwall. Not only was the film enjoyed but the generous afternoon tea was in the usual CAV tradition.
Saturday 21st June 2025 -Elizabeth Freeborn
Elizabeth is a singer and songwriter from Cornwall, raised in Mylor Bridge near Falmouth. She found the time during her hectic schedule of performances to prepare a special pre-recorded presentation for the Cornish Association of Victoria.
Elizabeth brought out her first solo album ‘Emerald’ in August 2024. In March 2024 she released her debut classical single from the album, ‘Myrgh an Mor’, written in Cornish. The name of the song translates as ‘Daughter of the Sea’. Elizabeth has previously been part of a local band ‘Wake the River’, which performed at various venues, including ‘The Eden Project’, ‘The Minack Theatre’ and the ‘Lost Gardens of Heligan’. She was also a soprano singer for the ‘Breselor Ensemble’ and ‘The Trelyva Collective’, which focused on the revival of the Cornish language. Elizabeth is currently performing ‘Arlodhes A Shalott’ or ‘Lady of Shalott’ in Cornwall. This is a new song cycle written by Cornwall-based composer Matthew Thomason for piano and solo voice, based on a Cornish translation of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's masterpiece poem ‘The Lady of Shalott’ put to music.
You can watch Elizabeth's Presentation here.
May 2025 -Kernewek Lowender 2025 Twelve members of the Victorian Cornish Association joined in the celebrations for Kernewek Lowender. For a full report of the events throughout the week, see the Melbourne August Newsletter by following this link. The photo to the right is of some CAV members during the Saturday Parade. |
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Saturday 19th April 2025: Wendy Smith
| Wendy had a great story
to tell and included her grandfather's
as ‘a bit of an adventure’ aboard
the SS Suevic, a White Star Ship,
(like the Titanic). You can read a full report of her presentation in the May Newsletter Click here Wendy also showed us a YouTube video about the SS Suevic and that can be viewed using this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6TANp_xr2Q |
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The Victorian banner was placed in the Church along with the St Piran flag.
During the service, several members of the Association gave short talks to explain the purpose of the day.
Ron Hawken gave a talk on the flag and explained the significance of the two colours.
Evelyn Jones read a poem on Cornwall and I was able to talk about the stained glass window of St Piran dedicated to my parents.
I also said the Lord’s Prayer in Cornish, the Vicar said it in Sinhalese and all said it in English.
The Vicar also made mention of St Piran in his sermon.
After the service thirty members of the Association and members of the congregation met in the church hall for a Pasty Lunch.
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Saturday 15th February 2025: Phil Higgs
Phil is a descendant of the Hawker family, with Caroline Hawker being his great, great, grandmother.
Caroline Hawker was the sister of Rev. Robert Stephen Hawker, of Morwenstow - the creator of the anthem we know as ‘Trelawney’.
Phil spoke mainly about the Dinham family but included here are some facts about the Hawker family. See CAV May Newsletter
Spirit of Mystery: Ken Peak shares his research and Lindsay Chapman's abridged film about the arrival of "Spirit of Mystery" in Melbourne on 9th March 2009 and the original "Mystery" with the members of the Toronto Cornish Association via Zoom.
Here is a video of that presentation along with the Lindsay's film. If you were unable to attend the luncheon at Williamstown on 13th November this is a "Must Watch".
Wednesday 18th December 2024: Christmas Lunch
The CAV held a special Christmas lunch at the Waverley RSL in December last year.
Thirty-five CAV members and friends were in attendance.
It was a terrific meal and venue, and members and friends enjoyed themselves. It was great to see Helen Morgan, Marjorie and John Barrett also in attendance. A number of people thought that we should do this again next Christmas. |
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Wednesday 13th November: ‘Remembering the Spirit of Mystery’ Lunch the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria in Williamstown.
The CAV held a special lunch and activity at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria in Williamstown in November last year. Thirty-three CAV members and friends were in attendance.
CAV President Brian Rollason told the gathering that the lunch was held to remember the epic journey of the little Cornish built lugger called the Spirit of Mystery.
Like her predecessor, the original lugger Mystery, she sailed from Newlyn in Cornwall to Australia.
The Spirit of Mystery arrived at Williamstown on March 9th, 2009.
That’s almost sixteen years ago now and many CAV members present were also there on that day.
It was great to see Alison Chapman and members of Lindsay Chapman’s family in attendance.
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Janet Woolhouse, Gladys and Glenn Grigg on their 90th birthdays.
Ken Peak's presentation about the history of the voyages and the abridged film made by Lyndsay Chapman and shown after the lucheon can be viewed above because it was repeated to the Toronto Cornish Association in February 2025.
Saturday, 26 October 2024: CAV at the Williamstown Highland and Celtic Gathering at Seaworks Williamstown
 Pictured above is Neil Thomas at the CAV stall. Neil is dressed in his new Cornish themed hoodie. |
 Ken Peak, Judy Wright and Neil pictured above |
Wednesday September 18th: 13 CAV members met and had lunch at the Cornish Arms Hotel in Sydney Road Brunswick.
Pictured above at the
Cornish Arms Hotel are from left Ian Bond,
Brian Rollason, Derek Trewarne, Ronda
Henderson, Jeannette and Ronald Hawken (at
the back), Ken Peak, Evelyn Jones, Neil
Thomas, Floss and Max Procter Nancy and
John Trungove (taking the picture)
Plaque above the door of the Cornish Arms Hotel presented by CAV President Tom Luke 26th of May 2001
Plaque above the door of the Cornish Arms Hotel presented by CAV President Tom Luke 26th of May 2001
Listen and watch the presentations here.
Saturday 20th July 2024 - The CAV AGM
A complete report from this meeting can be found in the August 2021 CAV Newsletter. Click here to open and read the entire edition.
Click on this link to see all the Newsletters produced in recent years. Newsletters
Saturday 15th June 2024 - Cornish Villages and Towns Close to the Hearts of CAV Members
Ten members of the Association each presented a short story about a village or town in Cornwall. The presenters and their topics were these.
Lucy Hamilton - St Minver; Janet Woolhouse - Trewellard/St Just: Frances von Kalm - St Mary's; Penny McGuire-White - Madron; Max Procter - Pendeen; Ronald Hawkens - Leedstown; Robyn Coates - Morwenstow; Judy Wright - Hayle; Marjorie Barrett - Layard/St Buryan; Ken Peak - Heamoor.
Listen and watch the presentations here.
Saturday 18th May 2024 - Historic and Community Festivals in Cornwall.
Compiled and presented by Judy Wright.
Saturday 20th April 2024 - The Story of Richard Trevithick.
Compiled by Judy Wright and Evelyn Jones, with assistance from the late Lindsay Chapman
Narrated by Evelyn Jones
Saturday 16th March 2024
The meeting commenced with a presentation by Judy Wright titled "News from Cornwall - March 2024".
Next Robyn Coates "St. Piran's Day 2024 in Cornwall and for the CAV in Ballarat.
Ken Peak then presented "The Tale of Saint Piran" Watch this story below.
Finally Robyn Coates with help from Eileen Carter and Ken Peak told us about the hisory and current state of St Piran's Oratory. Watch below.
Saturday 17th February 2024 - Stories, Legends and Folklore: A tour of St Michael's Mount with Ken Peak and Ronald Hawken
Here is a video of the presentation.
Saturday 3rd December 2023 - Annual Christmas Luncheon - at the Ballarat Grand
There was great fun, friendship, good
food, quizzes and singing. A great
time was had by all in attendance.
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November 18th 2023 - Brian Rollason - Pendennis and St Mawes Castles.
The attendees had lunch before the meeting began. Then it was singing of Trelawny. Ken Peak gave a report includ8ing showing photos of the opening of the Cornish section of the Castlemaine Library so take a look at the photos. Click here
Here is a video recording of Brian's presentation.
Wednesday 18th October 2023 - the launch of the CAV Library at the Castlemaine Historical Society - 7 Goldsmith Crescent, Castlemaine
To view the photo gallery for this event, Click hereSeptember 17th 2023 we were joined over Zoom by academic Emeritus Professor Matthew Spriggs, now resident in Vanuatu.
Matthew detailed the project to publish the entire body of Cornish language texts pre-1800 in definitive academic editions and provided background for those of less versed in the history of the Cornish language.
One thing that pleased a number of members was learning of Matthew’s recent experience of accessing texts at the Morrab library, noting the change post-pandemic in allowing researchers to use their mobile phones to photograph texts.
It makes a research visit to Morrab library a lot more efficient and affordable for non-local visitors – I certainly took note of this!
Thanks once again to our speakers for taking the time to prepare presentations and share them with us.
Helen Morgan
August 19th 2023 - a Zoom Meeting at 5.00 pm - our speaker was John Gamblin - “The Pull of Penzanceâ€
Taking advantage of the favourable time difference between Cornwall and Melbourne, in August we welcomed John Gamblin, presenting live from Penzance.
I have followed John for a few years now on X (formerly Twitter) – @Gamb0 [the last character is the number zero] – enjoying his year long project to photograph Mounts Bay and St Michael’s Mount from his apartment window. John is a founder member and trustee of The Mentor Ring and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
John spoke about ‘the pull of Penzance’ on him when he retired.
Not originally from Cornwall he was attracted to Penzance by the beautiful architecture and institutions like the Morrab Library, where he now volunteers, and Penlee House.
It was a most enjoyable presentation, especially for those of us who similarly feel the pull of Penzance from our family connections.
John shared a wonderful photograph he’d only just taken of the Abbey Steps and compared it with Stanhope Forbes’s well-known painting, The Inner Harbour – Abbey Slip (1921) of the exact same spot, both capturing the same sense of life and enjoyment. This led to a discussion about Stanhope Forbes and Penny shared that her great aunt features as a model in a Stanhope Forbes painting. It was great connection to make.
July 16th 2023 - AGM followed by Members' Show and Tell
The first member to contribute was Judy Wright, the President of the New Zealand Cornish Association. She shared two stories in this first video, the "Holyer an Gof" Publication Awards and the Victorian and New Zealand entries this year followed by the story of The Tregellas Tapestry and her mother's involvement in its production. Take a look.
Judy concluded by showing us the Red River Singers rendition of "Cornwall My Home" and suggesting we sing along. Join her here.
Robyn Coates, Brian Rollason and Ken Peak made a contribution. Here they are.
Neil Thomas, Diana Wheeler and Penny McGuire-White also contributed but at this stage the transcript of there stories is not available.
June 17th 2023 - Ken Peak, "William and Jane Peak of Drayton, Queensland.
May 13th 2023 - Our speaker via zoom was Dr Lesley Trotter from Cornwall via Zoom.
We did not have permission to record Lesley's presentation but a summary will appear in the next CAV newsletter.
April 15th 2023 Dr Stephen Morey - Rotten Boroughs of Cornwall
The ‘rottenness’ refers to the electoral constituencies not proportionally reflecting the number of constituents and being open to bribery.
Looe, for example, was broken up into two districts, East and West Looe, with four members of parliament representing the good (and small number of) people of Looe, while the great city of Manchester had none!
Cornwall had a lot of these boroughs.
For further information, Stephen directed us to the Wikipedia pages on UK parliamentary constituencies, which are detailed and well referenced. Here are two sites to view, Rotten_and_pocket_boroughs and Constituencies_of_the_Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom
March 18th 2023 - Dr Charlotte Mackenzie "Cornish healthcare in Georgian Cornwall"
Charlotte spoke about her current research interests in Cornish healthcare in Georgian Cornwall, describing the interconnections between legend, historical individuals and healthcare, including the society of ‘skilful aunts’ on the Isles of Scilly.
To read more about Charlotte's presentation read the report in the May Newsletter by Clicking Here
February 18th 2023 - Michelle Scott Tucker Presents Her Story of Elizabeth Macarthur
December 11th 2022 - Christmas Luncheon
In a break from tradition, members gathered at Young and jackson's famouse hotel at the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Street in the heart of Melbourne.
This proved to be another highlight. The food was good, the company exceptional amd all attendees had a memorable day.
November 20th 2022: Robyn Coates "The Isles of Scilly - St Mary's"
Robyn, with the aid of a collection of her photographs, took us with her as she spent a day flying from Cornwall to St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly, then spending six hours looking at the historical landmarks and the town today.
This was a meeting that was seen live via Zoom and the sound quality was poor so you can read Robyn's notes by clicking here and watch her slides in the panel below.
October 15th 2022: Neil Thomas
Neil shared information about a distant Cornish cousin, James Martin, who was a very successful business man in
South Australia.
To see a full report of Neil's presentation, read it on page 5 in the November 2022 CAV Newsletter by Clicking Here
Here is a video of the CAV meeting on the 15th which includes Neil's Presentation
September 17th 2022: September - Brian Rollason
Through Brian Rollason’s illustrated talk, "A scenic trail of churches on the Lizard Peninsula", members were able to see churches from Mawgan in Meneage, Manaccan, St Anthony in Meneage; St Keverne, Ruan Minor, Grade, Landewednack, Mullion, Cury and
Gunwalloe.
Here is a sample but see below for a link to Brian's full presentation.
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https://www.cornishvic.org.au/docs/A%20Scenic%20Church%20Trail%20of%20The%20Lizard%20Peninsula.pdf
August 20th 2022 – Family History Month with Helen Morgan
Based on her ongoing family history research, August speaker Helen Morgan presented on Cornish family history sources in acknowledgement of Family History Month and explored one of the enduring mysteries from her research – all ideas welcome!
Helen gave us insights into research techniques she used.
A full report of Helen's presentation can be found on page 3 of the November 2022 CAV Newsletter by Clicking Here.
Helen also shared her family history website, "Dearest, Are you in Melbourne?" which contains full references for the above research:
https://ancestry.helenmorgan.net/
From Helen's Website. Her story of the the Blewett family can be read further down the page under the report of the August 2021 meeting.
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The Blewetts and Morgans came to Melbourne in three waves in the 1850s. In the space of a single short generation, all but one of the adults had died in awful circumstances or disappeared, leaving Elizabeth Morgan and her surviving children to pick out a life on the streets of the inner city. As Melbourne galloped towards its late-century ‘marvellous’ reputation, many of its citizens were left behind. The remnants of the Blewett and Morgan families, alongside so many in the poor inner suburb of Collingwood, struggled to survive, their lives circumscribed by courts, prison cells, asylums and hospitals. Their experience would have far-reaching consequences, well into the twentieth-century. Their story shows what happens when family support fails, when gender controls your opportunity and when welfare becomes an exercise in judgement. |
Saturday July 11th - Monday 13th June - Portarlington Celtic Festival - the Geelong Branch had a stall during the Festival
For the first time in several years, the Geelong Branch took part in the National Celtic Festival, held at Portarlington.
With the assistance of other branch members our stall was open for the three days of the long weekend in June.
Despite being partially exposed to the elements a good time of fellowship was enjoyed and interesting conversations about Cornish heritage were had with members of the public.
Neil Thomas
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Saturday June 18th 2022 - CAV Annual General Meeting
Saturday May 21st 2022 - Dr Margaret Bullen: “A personal history of a Curno and a small window into the history of Curnow.â€
Saturday March 19th 2022 - Beryl and Ted Curnow and Living and Working in Cornwall
Between 2003 and 2005 Ted and Beryl lived and Ted worked in Cornwall. Ted had been appointed as a Methodist minister there and they have a wonderful story to tell.
I apologies for the quality of the sound for this hybrid meeting but beryl can be understood and there photographs give an insight into their life in Cornwall.
Saturday February 19th 2022 - Shauna Hicks ‘The Cornish in Queensland’ particularly the Trevaskis and Rosewarne families.
James Henry Trevaskis was born in St Hilary and married Ann Semmens from Perranuthnoe in 1859 and with their three young children - James, Nicholas and Annie - arrived in South Australia in 1864.
Sadly, Ann died in March 1865, in Moonta, leaving a husband and three young children.
In September 1865, James married Elizabeth Rosewarne in Wallaroo.
A daughter Dorcas Trevaskis was born in June 1866.
Dorcas was the great grandmother of Shauna.
Between 1866 and 1868, the family travelled to Copperfield in Queensland where a son John Trevaskis was born in 1868. How they travelled to Queensland is unknown – it may have been by coastal vessel to Rockhampton or it may have been overland.
James Henry Trevaskis is unaccounted for between 1869 and 1873 and Ann is left with five young children. It is assumed that he died and either his death was not registered or cannot be found in the registers.
In December 1873, Elizabeth married George Guy – the marriage certificate suggests Elizabeth is a widow and George Guy was born in Madron.
Three sons – James Henry, George and Christopher William – were born at Copperfield.
With diminishing supplies of copper and the attraction of gold, the family shifted to Charters Towers.
George Guy died in 1894 and Elizabeth Guy died in 1905.
Throughout the presentation Shauna had weaved photos from various libraries to show the communities, and sometimes the conditions, in which the families were living.
In her research, she had used online birth, death and marriage registrations from various states and also the SA State archives to track down shipping arrivals.
She reminded us to re-visit databases regularly as more and more records are digitized but to also check record parameters when we cannot find a family member, as not all have been digitized.
Purchasing birth, death and marriage certificates, although expensive at times, did reveal many secrets – however the information on these certificates is only as good as the knowledge of the person providing the information and over the years correct names and some details can be confused or lost.
Shauna found many articles on TROVE – in newspapers and gazettes but also digitized books which were online.
Advertisements in books gave an insight into the people and places and books often held detailed maps of the areas where relatives may have settled.
Newspaper Obituaries often gave details which were unknown to family researchers.
Inquest reports and wills and probate files often filled in missing information – even advertisements for claims on personal estates can hold details.
Another source of information is in what Shauna labelled chain migration where siblings in families travelled to Australia.
Families in Australia stayed in touch with their families in Cornwall and in Shauna’s research she knows that siblings of James Trevaskis, Elizabeth Rosewarne and George Guy all came to Australia.
Shauna reminded us that most Cornish families settled in locations where there was mining so online cemetery databases in those areas can often show family names.
The presentation was very informative and most people would have gleaned some suggestions to follow through in their own research.
Saturday December 11th 2021
The meeting commenced with a Pasty Lunch at 12.00 noon
Luncheon was followed by our first Zoom meeting broadcast from Oakleigh and although there were a couple of technical mishaps along the way, it was very successful and enabled good interaction.
After a welcome in Cornish by our President Ken Peak and the singing of Trelawney, we caught up with some Cornish news from various sources and some CAV members’ news.
Lauris Allen played the piano for some traditional carols and one Cornish Carol; we had a Quiz which was fun - the winner of which was John Webb from Toronto, Canada - and we had some time where those at Oakleigh could chat with those on Zoom.
Ken Peak and Brian Rollason had donated prizes for a Christmas Raffle - these were won by Neil Thomas, Ann Locke and Penny McGuire-White.
 Liz, John and Val |
 Lauris and Beth |
 Ann and Neil with their Christmas goodies |
Saturday November 20th 2021 Chris Dunkerley from CANSW shared some insights into Cornish Mining and Miners in NSW This was a zoom meeting
From the Toronto Cornish Association - October 2021 "The Search for the Lady Ages"
Presented to the TCA by Roger Radcliffe via Zoom from his home in Cornwall.
Permission has bee received for this to be available from our website. You can read a condensed account on the TAC website by following this link
October 16th: Dr Cate Frieman - Archaeology Discoveries in Cornwall.
Cate has discovered a prehistoric Bronze-Age barrow, or burial mound, on a hill in Cornwall. The site dates back to around 2,000 BC and was discovered by chance when Cate was conducting geophysical surveys of a known site outside the village of Looe in Cornwall and was approached by a farmer about a possible site in a neighbouring field. Watch this fascinating story.
September 18th Robyn Coates: Adoniah Vallack, Cornish Doctor and his adventures in Australia
Robyn came upon the name Adoniah Vallack while reading the Ballarat Historical Society's August 2020 edition of "Lamplight". This prompted her curiosity to know more. After much research she now believes Adoniah Vallack's story should be more widely known. Listen to it below but a summary may be read in the August 2021 edition of the Ballarat CAV Newsletter which can be found here.
Helen tells the story of Gabriel Blewett who, with his sons, left Cornwall for Melbourne in 1853. He was a stone mason and contributed to the building of many of the important early building in Melbourne. He and his family experienced success and tragedies. Watch and listen to this fascinating story.
Austell is a gold mining engineer and gave a fascinating presentation to the Ballarat Branch about the teachniques used to find possible gold mining sites and modern methods of mining and metal extraction. To watch this presentation, go to the Branches, Ballarat webpage and scroll down.
July 17th Readings from "Agan Kernow" with Neil, Derek, Brian, Ted and Ken This followed the AGM
Ken Peak, our President, has been working with members of the Cornish Diaspora here and in other countries, to assemble stories and recollections pertaining the Cornwall, to enable the publishing of a book to be entitled "Agan Kernow"
Here we listen to some of the contributors reading their stories for us.
June 19th Ted and Beryl Curnow: The Seasons in Cornwall
Ted took up a two year appointment as a Methodist Minister in Cornwall. He is a keen photographer and here he and Beryl show us a selection of their images depicting the seasons.
This Festival was held on the Copper Coast of South Australia - in the towns of Kadina, Wallaroo and Moonta. The program included Dressing the Graves, a Seminar, Concerts, a Dinner, a Parade, a Bardic Ceremony and a Heritage Church Service.
 Dressing the
Graves
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 The Parade
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May 15th - A Celebration Including Show and Tell the "brainchild" of our Cornish born vice-President Brian Rollason
What a wonderful day for our first meeting together in person, since March last year, with spontaneous warm greetings and catch up.
Our President Ken Peak, warmly welcomed us all with his ???Dohajydh da??? Cornish greeting (good afternoon) to all and said how great to After singing ???Hailed the Homeland??? Ken shared many interesting and newsy items from Cornwall Ken had prepared for us.
Brian Rollason displayed four impressive Cornish paintings/prints, beautifully framed each significant from his birthplace area around Falmouth.
Ken Peak talked of his relatives John Peak & Sons who owned a Picture Framing shop in Penance.
Evelyn Jones showed a small souvenir bear ???I love Cornwall??? and some pictures of Charleston Harbour near St Austell with a brief overview of same.
Beth Coote showed pics by Stanhope Forbes and also a pic of the Tolvern Stone at Gweek seven ft six ins high with a hole in the middle with belief that if you passed a sick child through the hole they would get better!
Ray Nicholas showed a delightful little model of a pilot gig boat made with Cornish elm, noting gig racing very popular in Cornwall with 13 clubs on the Scilly Isles and some competing in international events.
Penny McGuire-White spoke from her father???s book on Madron Well and its healing properties -- used also as a baptistry.
Val Goldsworthy showed a little illustrated book, bought in Cornwall and found it had been printed in Australia by author Oswald Pryor. She shared a classic Pryor cartoon pic. and caption that brought a smile.
Janine Halls displayed a very large aged and well-worn frail Family Bible that linked back to her earlier family with one page of handwritten birth, deaths and marriages listed from 1779 to July 1877.
Her mother had received the Bible from earlier family, listing mainly the Shrugg side of the family.
Lindsay Chapman passed around a boxed medal memento from Pete Goss, for the support he had given representing the CAV on the organising committee for the ???Spirit of Mystery??? visit to Melbourne in March 2010 celebrating 150 years since the original miraculous and historic visit in 1854 of the Mystery with seven men from Newlyn to Williamstown, Victoria.
He also displayed some jewellery from the South Crofty Mine,
Frances Von Kalm showed two lovely copper etched plates, one with a Pisky, another with Long Ships Lighthouse and also a ceramic one with a painted lifeboat.
Helen Morgan showed a Cornish Mug with ???Poldark-Handsome??? marked on it. Also brought home a Cornish Tea tin from Cornwall marked ???Smugglers Brew Blend??? full of tea bags. Helen so impressed she ordered a box later and received ?1100 tea bags which thankfully she is still enjoying.!! Website if interested is www.cornishtea.co.uk,
Peter Datson showed a letter found in the Datson Family Bible from Elizabeth Datson (nee Wasley) in Baldhu, Cornwall to her second son, John Wasley Datson. Written in 1886 Peter called it, ???And she do open my Letters??? and the letter had poor punctuation and spelling. However from this letter he was able to trace his family members from across the world.
Max Procter showed a pic of his GG Grandfather Nankervis, from Quay St, St Ives. originally from the Pendeen, St Just area in Cornwall and who had a ham and bacon factory at Gold Square, Bendigo.
Felicity Sigmont showed a souvenir of the Shoalhaven Lighthouse made of Serpentine and mentioned there were some toxic minerals in Cornwall of which one needed to be aware.
Janet Woolhouse Displayed a beautiful and colourful icon written by her brother in law Rev Rob Gallagher for her 80th birthday.
Lyn Roberts showed a family watch that came from Cornwall. GG grandfather came from Cornwall in 1853. His younger son and brother came out in 1856 and his own wife and family came out from 1860 onwards.
Ted and Beryl Curnow displayed a Cornish Flora Day Dance programme poster, a lighted Engine house lamp from Cripplesease and a replica brass and copper Davey Miner lamp with brief history and significance of the Miner???s lamp.
A highlight to conclude the day was a beautifully framed picture of the Wheal Prosper Engine House that Brian Rollason had generously donated following his talk on Cornwall at a previous meeting.
April 17th Helen Dwyer: Walking the Kokoda Track
April is a month when Australian remember the the sacrifices of war and those who lost their lives as the Nation commemorates ANZAC Day on the 25th.
Helen is a teacher in Gippsland who made the decision to walk in the footsteps of our soldiers who fought along the Kokoda Track across that Owen Stanley Ranges in Papua in 1942. She braved the oppressive and humid climate and the inhospitable tropical terrain and here is her story.
February 17th: Brian Rollason: Walks Along the Cornish Coast
Brian was born in Falmouth Cornwall and has returned on occasion to walk the Cornish coastline. Here he takes us along with him.
This year the meeting was somewhat different to our normal end of year activity, as this time it was conducted via Zoom.
Our President, Ken Peak, welcomed all CAV members including those from rural Victoria and interstate. An added bonus was some visitors from the Toronto Cornish Association and a visitor from Wisconsin USA.
After we sang Trelawny and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Derek Trewarne had discovered an old film from 1916 recorded in Cornwall, called The Cornish Riviera which Ken showed - we could identify many of the places and it was fascinating to see the fishing boats in the harbours as well as the townsfolk going about their daily activities - the women in their long skirts, hats and white aprons and most of the men in hats and caps. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGoLkfITtuQ
 Stargazy Pie
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 Mousehole lights and Tom Bawcock???s Eve |
More songs followed including Tom Bawcock???s Song -the history of Stargazy pie was related and included images of the Mousehole lights and Tom Bawcock???s Eve. A time of chatter finished a very pleasant afternoon.
Covid19 Restriction in Victoria during 2020 greatly restricted the meeting opportunities of the CAV. That did not stop the regular publishing of the sixteen page Melbourne CAV Newsletters which can be found and read here.
March 5th to 8th: Ballarat Cornish Festival
The Festival began with the raising of the Cornish Flag in front of the Ballarat Town Hall on the Thursday Morning.
Thirty-one participants assembled at Skipton Street Hall, on the morning of Friday 6th March, for a tour of Creswick. There was a short tour of Creswick and visits to cemetery then to the Creswick Museum was of interest to most and some people enjoyed sitting in the sun chatting and relaxing.
On the Saturday in The South Gardens, opposite Lake Wendouree, was the 34th Australian Assembly of Bards of the Gorsedh Kernow with 21 Bard participating
Flag Raising |
 Bus Trip |
 The Dinner |
Avenue of Memories was produced to mark the centenary of Ballarat???s Arch of Victory and Avenue of Honour
The Sunday began with a Heritage Church Service at Skipton Street Uniting Church leb by Rev. Ted Curnow.
In the afternoon Max Duthie gave us a short talk about the history of the Mt Pleasant area of Ballarat
Read the full report on this festival in the Ballarat April 2020 Newsletter and view the Photo Galleries here
February 15th: Peter Griffiths and his book "The Welsh on Victoria???s Central Goldfields"
Peter related short biographies of a few Welsh-born men who made their mark on Victorian history. These included:
Robert Lewis
He arrived in Melbourne in August 1853.
An early partnership with another Welshman, Evan Rowlands, in the production of aerated water varieties led to his rapid financial success.
Lewis served as Councillor for the Municipality of Ballarat from 1859 and as Chairman in 1862.
He was Mayor of the Borough of Ballarat West in 1863 and of the city of Ballarat in 1872-72 and 1880-81. In 1864 he was elected to the Victorian Parliament as member for Ballarat West.
Isaac Daniel
He arrived in Melbourne aboard the Miles Barton. Isaac worked as a miner at Chewton and Castlemaine and moved to Maldon in 1863.
He joined the Welsh Independent Chapel and was able to preach in the Welsh language.
Isaac became a shareholder of the South German Reef Tribute Company in 1879 and later Chairman of Directors.
 Robert Lewis |
 Isaac Daniel |
 Zerubael Davies |
 Joseph Jenkins |
 William Jones |
Following emigration to Victoria in 1852, he preached at the (English) Baptist Church in Collins Street on Sunday afternoons.
The first Welsh sermon in Melbourne was delivered by Davies in December 1852.
From about 1858, Davies and his family lived in Pleasant Creek (Stawell) where he resumed his teaching career as Head Teacher at the Church of England School and was a lay preacher for the Anglican Church.
Joseph Jenkins
Joseph Jenkins arrived in Melbourne in December 1868 and he worked as an itinerant agricultural labourer for sixteen years.
Later he worked for the Maldon Council as a street sweeper.
He was also a regular attendee at the Annual St David???s Day Eisteddfod in Ballarat, wining prizes for the Englyn (a special form of Welsh verse) for thirteen years in succession.
William Jones
He arrived in Ballarat in the early 1860s, where he worked for a time with Rowland and Lewis, aerated water manufacturers, possibly due to his connection with Robert Lewis, who was from the same area in Wales.
A friend gave him 200 mining shares (the donor being tired of paying ???calls???) which shortly after soared in price.
Elated at his success, Jones began trading as a mining share broker in Ballarat. Jones was prominent in the racing industry, owning the 1889 Melbourne Cup winner, Bravo, and co-owning Newhaven, winner of the Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup.
Read the Full report of Peter Griffith's presentation in the Melbourne News Letter of May 2020