Carnivale Stories
Welcome to our family: Muswellbrook Shire has a vast array of history – people from all over the world have made our Shire their home. From the “Dreamtime”, the First Fleet, Convict Transportations, The highs and lows of the Gold Rush Days, Brave free settlers and adventurous explorers: immigrants from all corners of the globe have found peace and prosperity in our Valley.
We invite you to share with us some of those stories and thank all who so willingly allowed us to be a part of their history as a feature of the inaugural (2009) Muswellbrook Carnivale in Spring. We still have 12,000 unique and exciting stories to tell in the coming years.
Bruce James
My name is Bruce James. I was born in Muswellbrook 74 years ago and have lived and worked here all those years except for a little over 3 years during which I completed my tertiary education, National Service and a short stint teaching in the New England Region of NSW.
On Australia Day this year (2009) I received the honour of being named the 2009 Muswellbrook Shire Citizen of the Year.
My maternal great-grandparents, Jacob Gageler (Gokeler) and Catherine Folpp (Volpp) migrated separately from Wittenberg, Germany in the 1850s.Jacob, a vine dresser, came to work in the vineyards at John Pike’s property “Pickering”. Catherine arrived on the sailing ship “Commodore Perry” (ex-England) with her parents and were also bound for “Pickering”. However, the employment arrangements failed.
Jacob (27) and Catherine (16) married and settled on a small property on the Goulburn River near Sandy Hollow – they worked their mixed farm which included a vineyard and raised 12 children.
My paternal great-grand parents were John Samson James and Ada Maria Cooper from England. Following a family tragedy, they migrated to New South Wales in 1885. They operated a bakery business at Wollombi, West Maitland and Morpeth until eventually establishing a bakery in Muswellbrook in 1907.
My mother’s forebears were from both Massachusetts (USA) and Morayshire (Scotland). William Purvis and Sarah Atteridge lived at Hollydeen, Denman and Muswellbrook and raised 7 children.
My bloodline contains German, American, England and Scottish ancestry. As a “true-blue” Aussie, I am proud of my mixed heritage and the contributions made by those original immigrants and subsequent generations to our society and culture, especially in the Upper Hunter.
May the Muswellbrook Carnivale in Spring be a great success and give us all the opportunity to acknowledge our mixed heritage and the wonderful contributions made by past generations of citizens who have come from all over the world.
Brian Wells
I came to Muswellbrook in 1984 was General Manager of the well known local firm, Muswellbrook Engineering for some years. I then went to work at Drayton Coal and eventually to Muswellbrook Coal Company.
I served my apprenticeship in the Lower Hunter Coal Fields where I worked underground for many years. Eventually, I qualified as a Statutory Mechanical Engineer and in a number of other Coal Mining related expertise.
My first wife and I had two sons, Stewart and John. Georgina passed away and a few years later, I married my wonderful wife Marilyn with whom I have a son, Luke and a daughter Amy.
My father’s great grandfather (Wells) came from Wales to settle in the Hunter Region – first working in Underground mines in the Dudley area but later settled in Abermain and worked in several mines in the “Coal Fields”. My mother’s name was Charlton and her family also had a coal mining history – they came from Yorkshire in England and by co-incidence, also first worked in the Dudley and then later settled at Kearsley where a couple of generations later, I was born.
Conditions have changed greatly in the Coal Mining Industry. One of our family stories is about two of my great grandfather’s children working underground in Wales before they migrated to Australia – the daughter was in her early “teens” and went to work in the pit. When she arrived in Australia in her late “teens”, she was not allowed to work in a coal mine. One of great grandfather’s sons was just eight (yes 8 !!!) years old and went to work underground on a daily basis – often, it is said my great grandfather would have to carry the lad home on his shoulders as he had fallen asleep as soon as the shift was done.
I operate a small family business in the Upper Hunter as well as private consulting work for Mining Companies and Contractors throughout the Region.
Whilst Amy and Stewart have chosen careers outside the Coal Mining Industry, both John and Luke are occupied in the Industry in the Electrical and Mechanical side of the business.
The Wells family are fifth generation coal miners in Australia and this heritage extends well beyond that in both Wales and Yorkshire.
As a boy around 8 to 18, Sunday lunches at my grand parents’ home were the highlight of my youth – three generations of family and many friends gathered regularly and told stories good and bad about the coal mining industry and local life in general. These were not just luncheon dates but a celebration of family heritage and history which was precious to all who had the honour of attending.
Some years ago when I turned the ripe old age of 60, I splurged a little and bought a 1979 Pontiac Transam V8 and a 1985 Chev Z28E Camaro 305 cubic inch V8. I eventually sold the Transam but still drive the Camaro which I have completely rebuilt, including converting it from left hand to right hand drive and giving it a coat of BMW Burgundy.
I am looking forward to the great exhibitions of cars on display at the Global Village Classic Car Show in November and hope to see you there.
All the very best to everyone throughout the wonderful Muswellbrook Carnivale in Spring.
Ethan Hargood
My name is Ethan Christopher Hargood and here is my story. A long time ago, after World War II, my Great Grandparents on my Mother’s side, immigrated from Italy and moved to Scotland as there was no work for
them in Italy. They set up home and my Grandparents met and got married,
both coming from Italian families.
My Great Grandparents on my Father’s side, however, are all of English
descent as far back as they can remember. Even though my Mum is from Edinburgh, Scotland her family name is Di Rollo. She decided to move to London to work where she met my Dad who is from London, England.
They both shared the same dream to move to Australia for a lifestyle change.
They followed their combined dream which brought them to Muswellbrook in 2006. They got married in 2008 in the Whitsundays and I was born on the 23 May 2009 in Australia.
This is how I ended up to be here today which means that I am from Italian, English and Scottish decent, and that is my story.
On behalf of the Hargood family, welcome to Muswellbrook, my home town - we hope you enjoy our Carnivale in Spring...please come back and see us again.
And now I can tell a secret… my mummy and daddy are going to become Australian Citizens in a special ceremony in Muswellbrook at the end of July 2009.
Ernst Huber
I was born in Gmunden, Austria 80 years ago. Following the Second World War, Austria, like much of Europe, had suffered greatly and things very tough. As a qualified Plumber, I was given the opportunity to come to Australia to work on the construction of houses. I left Austria in mid-winter and arrived in Sydney on 8th January 1952 in the middle of a boiling hot summer. We travelled over night and arrived in Muswellbrook the next morning. Muswellbrook has been my home ever since.
A team of 50 Austrians with different skills and trades came to construct homes for the NSW Housing Commission – the houses were prefabricated in Austria and imported to Australia. Over the next few years a total of 128 Austrian tradesmen came to work in Australia on similar projects. Of the 50 I arrived with, most have stayed and made Australia their home. Many still live in Muswellbrook.
One of the very first people I met in Muswellbrook was a young lady named Fay Budden who worked in a Corner Store close to our building site. Some of the Budden Story appears in another section of this Book. Our crew often called to the shop to get a milk shake on those scorching days of summer. Fay and I met the day of my arrival in 1952 and in 1955, we were married. We have three children, 2 boys and a girl and seven grandchildren.
Fay’s family made me feel welcome from the very start and that made it so much easier to fit in to the local community. After working in various occupations for some years, in 1959 we started our very own Huber Constructions which we continued to operate for 40 years. Fay and I and the children returned on two occasions to Austria where we lived for a few months at a time. For Fay, it was love at first sight. Austria is a beautiful place and she and the children enjoyed our stays in my homeland.
I return every few years, either on my own or with one of the kids. However, after all these years, I am very happy in my adopted home of Muswellbrook. This year I turned 80 and together with two of my grandchildren, celebrated by climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge – we had to do it twice but that’s another story.
My recommendation to all newcomers is to take an active part of the community – don’t let the chance slip by. It may take a little time but in the long run, it is a wonderful place to live. Let’s not take it for granted.
On behalf of myself, Fay and the Huber family, I welcome all our visitors to the Muswellbrook Carnivale in Spring, especially the Ethnic Beer Month in October being hosted by Phil and Kyua Ryan at the famous Eatons Hotel.
Barry French
I would like to share a little of my story with you. I am an elder of the Kamilaroi people and a director of the Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council based in Muswellbrook located in the lands of the Gomeroi Nation.
I was born in 1943 in Moree and attended the Mission School about 3 kilometres from town and later attended Moree High School where I gained my Intermediate Certificate. At age 18 I moved to Sydney where I worked for what was known then as the PMG in the Mail Division. Sydney was not my scene and in 1963, with my wife Helen and two small children, I relocated to Muswellbrook.
Over the years, our family has grown to seven children (5 boys and 2 girls), 22 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. For many years I was employed by NSW Railways as a Train Driver operating to Werris Creek in the north, Ulan and Gulgong to the west and throughout the Hunter Region.
Whilst most of my people came from the north western part of New South Wales, we have a long connection with the Upper Hunter as my great grandfather, Tom French was born at Scone.
Helen and I have been married for 48 years, we have a large and loving extended family and lots of friends in Muswellbrook and throughout the Upper Hunter. We love Muswellbrook and look forward to enjoying all the wonderful events throughout Carnivale in Spring.
In repect to our Elders, past and present, it is with a great deal of pride I extend to you our Welcome to Country.
Katrina Pang Cum
The Chinese side of my family arrived in Australia in the second part of the 19th Century and settled in the New England area of New South Wales.
We all called our grandmother POR POR (which is Chinese for “grandmother”) and eventhough I never knew my grandfather as he died just 3 weeks before my birth, he was always referred to as “Gong Gong”.
My Chinese great grandparents were Harry Fay and Ruby (Wong Chee) Fay. Grandmother was the oldest of their 12 children and she had four children – Brian, Barbara, Jillian and my father Terrence
My mother is of European heritage with Scottish influence.
We moved to Muswellbrook from Warren some 25 years ago when I was just 9 months old. Dad took up a position with the Muswellbrook Council.
My parents have since moved back to Inverell which is the centre of our family’s development but I still live and work in Muswellbrook and am engaged to be married in the not too distant future and plan to make Muswellbrook our home.
My dad is a great cook and still enjoys preparing traditional Chinese feast when the family gets together which I am very happy about. It is wonderful that some our
Chinese traditions and heritage are being kept alive within our family. Dad has taught me some Chinese cooking but I have still lots to learn.
I have lots of Chinese friends through my dad’s connections and through growing up within the extended family. I cannot speak Chinese, however, I did learn a few slang words from Por Por (grandmother).
Dad’s family were co-owners of the Hong Yuen retail net work that was famous throughout the New England region from the late 1800s through to the latter part of the 20th century.
In due course, my fiancé and I plan to adopt a little chinese girl – we would like to help some children who are less fortunate than most
I hope every one has a happy time during the Carnivale in Spring – please come back and see us again: you are always welcome in Muswellbrook.
Thabano Segopottso Hlabano
I was born in Francistown, Botswana. Botswana is a landlocked country in the southern part of the vast continent of Africa.
I left school and started my University education in Botswana. On 21st July 2002, just shortly before my 21st birthday, I arrived in Australia as an exchange student for a six months period in Newcastle.
However, things didn’t quite go to plan and I stayed on at Newcastle University to complete a degree in Engineering.
Following my University training, I was fortunate to have gained employment with Macquarie Generation and work at Liddell Power Station, just a few kilometres south of Muswellbrook.
In 2006, I returned home with the intention of staying, but within four months, I was back in Australia. I really like Australia and have settled in very well with lots of good friends.
Whilst I have not taken out Australian Citizenship, I have permanent residency status. I go home every year to see my family – this was the deal I made with my mum.
May I extend a warm welcome to everyone to the Muswellbrook Carnivale in Spring. As a member of the Apex club of Muswellbrook, I invite everyone to join us at the Brunch at the Park on Sunday 1st November 2009.
Ray Budden
My family originated from Wiltshire (England) when George Budden was engaged to work at Col. Dumaresq’s “St Heliers” property on the outskirts of what is now the thriving township of Muswellbrook. George and wife Martha arrived in 1838 only to find Dumaresq had died and they were without employment. Eventually, the family took up rural holdings in Dunbars Creek just a short distance beyond McCullys Gap.
I was schooled in the that area and worked on the family’s dairy and sheep property until I served overseas with the Australian Army during the Second World War. After the War, I moved to Muswellbrook and worked in various occupations which included retail, coal mining and insurance management up till my retirement in 1979.
I have 3 children (2 girls and a boy), 7 grand children and 7 great grand children. I am the eldest of six surviving Budden grandchildren who at one stage numbered 72.
I was an Alderman for two terms on the Muswellbrook Municipal Council.
My wonderful partner of 20 years, June is of English and Irish stock and is also a proud Great Grandmother of 25 Great Grandchildren.
The photo accompanying this story includes baby Todd Terrace who is the 8th generation of Buddens within the Muswellbrook district. The photo includes my late mother Jessie Budden (wife of my late father, Ernie Budden), my daughter Lindis Durham, grand daughter Cindy Terrace, baby Todd and of course myself.
I will celebrate my 91st birthday in October this year, so the Carnivale in Spring will have an extra special significance for me this year.
On behalf June and myself and the Budden clan who have lived and worked in the Muswellbrook area for all those year, we welcome you to the Muswellbrook Carnivale In Spring, we hope you enjoy your
visit and we invite you to come
back and see us again.
Rahul Bhargava
My name is Rahul Bhargava I am 22 years old and this is a little of my story.
I was born in Bhopal, India. However, lived most of my life in the cities of Mumbai and Goa.
I came to Australia in 2001 with my family and lived for the first five months in Canberra enjoying the end of summer and start of winter.
The primary reason that my family came to Australia was for a better education system and to enjoy the relaxed life style.
After a few moves around NSW, my family now is settled in Sydney. We lived in Dubbo for some time for work related reasons.
I did my year 10 and 11 from Dubbo – Dubbo College Senior Campus. We moved to Gosford for some time during which I completed my year 12 from Asquith Boys high School at Hornsby.
When I left school, I attended the University of Newcastle between 2005 and 2009 where I completed a Bachelor of Commerce and worked for the Union of University of Newcastle.
I currently work for Muswellbrook Shire Council in the position of Accountant.
I have one elder sister who is working in Sydney at the moment.
I love Australia and my family is very happy - most of the time – we are not happy when Australia beats India in Cricket.
During my final year at school (Year 12) I became an Australian citizen at a special ceremony at Gosford.
I urge you to purchase a copy of the Upper Hunter P&A Association’s wonderful RECIPE BOOK which includes my special LOVE DOCTOR’S CURRY – a hot ‘n spicy feast for every romantic occasion (for purchases phone: 02 6541 2014).
The Kelly Family
It is exciting to be part of the Muswellbrook Carnivale in Spring. This is a celebration which highlights our diversity of backgrounds and our shared love of our town and district. Like all Muswellbrook residents, I have a story to share.
My grandfather, Thomas Kelly arrived in Australia in 1912 as a young Irish Immigrant. After a short stint working on the trams in Sydney Tom gained a land grant in 1914 outside Tully in far North Queensland. Tom’s dream of Australian Utopia was 100 acres of virgin rainforest!! With his bare hands, a horse and an axe he cleared the land and planted sugar cane. In 1920 Tom sent for his Irish Sweetheart, Annie Ryan (Legal Secretary in Limerick). Annie packed her trousseau of fine Irish linens, kissed her beloved father goodbye (both knowing full well they would never see each other again) and set off to Australia to marry the young man she had not seen for eight years!! Tom and Annie raised four sons in the tropics under very difficult and heartbreaking conditions.
My Dad, Martin Kelly, the eldest of the boys, married Edna Newton (from the Northern Suburbs of Sydney) and brought his own family away from the tropics to settle in Sydney.
In 1981 my wife, Colleen, and I brought our family of four children from Sydney to live in Muswellbrook for what we imagined would be a three year stay. Our fifth child was born in Muswellbrook in 1983. We have loved raising our family here and we are still here 28 years later!! We established our own business in Muswellbrook in 1984 and are celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Colleen was born Colleen Carey. Shortly after arriving in Muswellbrook it came to light that Colleen’s family on her Paternal Grandmother’s side was descended from one James and Mary Daniel. James and Mary arrived in the Colony as convicts. James, an ex British soldier, arrived in 1822 and Mary (nee Riley) from County Down, Ireland in 1829. Descendants of the Daniel Family were early pioneers in the Muswellbrook district and it was discovered that several of our children’s closest school friends were actually distant cousins on the Daniel line! Somehow we felt that Muswellbrook had called us home and this gave us a great feeling of connection to the town.
The Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a proud supporter and participant in “Carnivale”. We encourage all locals to participate in the springtime events and welcome visitors from all over the world.