THE ANSONIA KITCHEN CLOCK. In pride of place on the kitchen mantelpiece is the Ansonia kitchen clock, now happily marking each hour and half hour with the appropriate number of gongs.  The clock dates from the early twentieth century and was made by the Ansonia Clock Co., New York.  This clock is the “Kirkwood’ model which was being sold in 1914.   In 1844, Anson Phelps formed the Ansonia Brass Co. in Connecticut to supply clocks.  The Ansonia...

Harness racing, or “trotting”, has long been associated with the Melton-Toolern Vale – Bacchus Marsh area.  So close has this association been that when the major harness racing venue was moved from Moonee Valley, the chosen location was Melton.  Tabcorp Park is now a well-known landmark on the Western Highway.   Trotting tracks can still be seen in the Coimadai district.  One of the well-known owner/trainer/drivers of the district is Greg...

Australia Day -Tuesday, 26 January 2016 – the flag was raised.  Our small ceremony was possible only through the endeavors of Alan Turner, our expert wood turner, together with the digging out and securing of the sleeve by Russ and Tony, and Geoff was our flag raiser on the day.  Thank you to everyone who attended and shared the emotion.  Thank you to those who made our 2016 Australia Day possible.

Our complex had an unexpected disaster in the grounds at the end of 2015.  Our flagpole lay across the Cottage’s entry pathway.  At first it was thought the recent winds at the time did the damage.  A wonderful local wood expert, Alan Turner (aptly named), came to the rescue.  Upon his investigation, the flagpole’s tunnels and destroyed wood particles told the tale – our heritage Douglas Fir flagpole had been a termite...

We have a band of over 40 volunteers working on the Project. Some are highly involved whereas others help out where they can. Most people volunteer for just 2 hours per month in either the Book Barn or in the Cottage or at Working Bees. We cater for a wide variety of interests and skills so if you have an interest in history or books or just like meeting people and contributing to the Community then volunteering with us will prove to be very...

Our Christmas dinner was a huge success with over 40 people in attendance.   It was great to chat with a number of our volunteers.  We attend our rostered time slots at the Cottage and the Book Barn and seldom see all of our fellow “workers”.  It was a chat-fest with lots of funny stories.  Thanks to Burkes on Main for a delicious although somewhat early Christmas...